bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boosting Photo Upconversion in Electropolymerised Thin Film with Yb/Er Complexes
Authors: Yin Hong‐Ju , Feng Yan‐Song , Liang Ning , Liu Xiao‐Meng , Liu Jian‐Xun , Wang Ke‐Zhi , Yao Chang‐Jiang
Published: January 2023

Upconversion luminescence (UCL) in organometallic complexes has attracted great interest in photovoltaics and biological applications due to their fascinating energy transfer mechanism from low‐energy photon to high‐energy photon. However, photon‐upconversion operating in a single discrete entity remains a challenge caused by low‐absorption cross section of the luminescent lanthanide element. Here, a novel upconversion system is reported combining Yb (Ytterbium) sensitizers and Er (Erbium) activators in the film by electropolymerization, which leads to excited‐state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer upconversion (ETU) processes. For the first time, the UCL has been achieved in the thin films upon near‐infrared laser irradiation, and the upconversion intensity exhibits up to 30‐fold enhancement with the variation of Yb/Er ratio.
Zn (II)‐Doped Cesium Copper Halide Nanocrystals with High Quantum Yield and Colloidal Stability for High‐Resolution X‑Ray Imaging
Authors: Qu Kang , Lu Yangbin , Ran Peng , Wang Kun , Zhang Nan , Xia Kaiyu , Zhang Hongyan , Pi Xiaodong , Hu Hanlin , Yang Yang (Michael) , He Qingquan , Yin Jun , Pan Jun
Published: January 2023

Scintillators are essential for high‐energy radiation detection in a variety of potential applications. However, due to complex fabrication processes and nanocrystal homogeneity, conventional scintillators are challenging to meet the need for cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and flexible X‐ray detection. Here, monodisperse nanocrystals (NCs) with small grain size and colloidal stability are obtained by adjusting the doping concentration of Zn2+ ions and controlling the morphology uniformity of Cs3Cu2I5 NCs. The photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) for the optimal doping concentration is as high as 92.8%, which is a 28.5% improvement compared to nondoped NCs. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the Zn2+ dopant inclines to occupy Cu sites and the I‐rich condition suppresses the formation of I vacancy, enriching the excited electron density at the band‐edge to enhance the self‐trapped exciton emission. Moreover, high luminescence performance and flexible X‐ray scintillator films are prepared using Zn2+‐doped Cs3Cu2I5 NCs, with a spatial resolution of up to 15.7 lp mm–1. This work provides an effective strategy for the development of environmentally friendly, low‐cost, and efficient blue‐emitting 0D all‐inorganic metal halides, as well as shows their great potential for high‐performance flexible lead‐free and low‐toxicity X‐ray detector applications.
Static and Dynamic: Evolving Biomaterial Mechanical Properties to Control Cellular Mechanotransduction
Authors: Xie Wenyan , Wei Xi , Kang Heemin , Jiang Hong , Chu Zhiqin , Lin Yuan , Hou Yong , Wei Qiang
Published: January 2023

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly dynamic system that constantly offers physical, biological, and chemical signals to embraced cells. Increasing evidence suggests that mechanical signals derived from the dynamic cellular microenvironment are essential controllers of cell behaviors. Conventional cell culture biomaterials, with static mechanical properties such as chemistry, topography, and stiffness, have offered a fundamental understanding of various vital biochemical and biophysical processes, such as cell adhesion, spreading, migration, growth, and differentiation. At present, novel biomaterials that can spatiotemporally impart biophysical cues to manipulate cell fate are emerging. The dynamic properties and adaptive traits of new materials endow them with the ability to adapt to cell requirements and enhance cell functions. In this review, an introductory overview of the key players essential to mechanobiology is provided. A biophysical perspective on the state‐of‐the‐art manipulation techniques and novel materials in designing static and dynamic ECM‐mimicking biomaterials is taken. In particular, different static and dynamic mechanical cues in regulating cellular mechanosensing and functions are compared. This review to benefit the development of engineering biomechanical systems regulating cell functions is expected.
Desirable Uniformity and Reproducibility of Electron Transport in Single‐Component Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Haixia , Mu Xinyu , Li Bin , Gui Ruohua , Shi Rui , Chen Tao , Liu Jianqiang , Yuan Jianyu , Ma Jing , Gao Kun , Hao Xiaotao , Yin Hang
Published: January 2023

Despite the simplified fabrication process and desirable microstructural stability, the limited charge transport properties of block copolymers and double‐cable conjugated polymers hinder the overall performance of single‐component photovoltaic devices. Based on the key distinction in the donor (D)–acceptor (A) bonding patterns between single‐component and bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices, rationalizing the difference between the transport mechanisms is crucial to understanding the structure–property correlation. Herein, the barrier formed between the D–A covalent bond that hinders electron transport in a series of single‐component photovoltaic devices is investigated. The electron transport in block copolymer‐based devices is strongly dependent on the electric field. However, these devices demonstrate exceptional advantages with respect to the charge transport properties, involving high stability to compositional variations, improved film uniformity, and device reproducibility. This work not only illustrates the specific charge transport behavior in block copolymer‐based devices but also clarifies the enormous commercial viability of large‐area single‐component organic solar cells (SCOSCs).
Deciphering Hierarchical Chromatin Domains and Preference of Genomic Position Forming Boundaries in Single Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Ye Yusen , Zhang Shihua , Gao Lin , Zhu Yuqing , Zhang Jin
Published: January 2023

The exploration of single‐cell 3D genome maps reveals that chromatin domains are indeed physical structures presenting in single cells, and domain boundaries vary from cell to cell. However, systematic analysis of the association between regulatory factor binding and elements and the formation of chromatin domains in single cells has not yet emerged. To this end, a hierarchical chromatin domain structure identification algorithm (named as HiCS) is first developed from individual single‐cell Hi‐C maps, with superior performance in both accuracy and efficiency. The results suggest that in addition to the known CTCF‐cohesin complex, Polycomb, TrxG, pluripotent protein families, and other multiple factors also contribute to shaping chromatin domain boundaries in single embryonic stem cells. Different cooperation patterns of these regulatory factors drive genomic position categories with differential preferences forming boundaries, and the most extensive six types of retrotransposons are differentially distributed in these genomic position categories with preferential localization. The above results suggest that these different retrotransposons within genomic regions interplay with regulatory factors navigating the preference of genomic positions forming boundaries, driving the formation of higher‐order chromatin structures, and thus regulating cell functions in single mouse embryonic stem cells.
Atomic Cu‐N‐P‐C Active Complex with Integrated Oxidation and Chlorination for Improved Ethylene Oxychlorination
Authors: Ma Hongfei , Zheng Xiuhui , Zhang Hao , Ma Guoyan , Zhang Wei , Jiang Zheng , Chen De
Published: January 2023

Fine constructing the chemical environment of the central metal is vital in developing efficient single‐atom catalysts (SACs). Herein, the atomically dispersed Cu on the N‐doped carbon is modulated by introducing CuP moiety to CuNC SAC. Through fine‐tuning with another heteroatom P, the Cu SAC shows the superior performance of ethylene oxychlorination. The Cu site activity of Cu‐NPC is four times higher than the P‐free Cu‐NC catalyst and 25 times higher than the Ce‐promoted CuCl2/Al2O3 catalyst in the long‐term test (>200 h). The selectivity of ethylene dichloride can be splendidly kept at ≈99%. Combined experimental and simulation studies provide a theoretical framework for the coordination of Cu, N, and P in the complex active center and its role in effectively catalyzing ethylene oxychlorination. It integrates the oxidation and chlorination reactions with superior catalytic performance and unrivaled ability of corrosive‐HCl resistance. The concept of fine constructing with another heteroatom is anticipated to provide with inspiration for rational catalyst design and expand the applications of carbon‐based SACs in heterogeneous catalysis.
Extracellular Matrix Rigidities Regulate the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle and Antibiotic Resistance of Three‐Dimensionally Confined Bacterial Microcolonies
Authors: Han Yiming , Jiang Nan , Xu Hongwei , Yuan Zuoying , Xiu Jidong , Mao Sheng , Liu Xiaozhi , Huang Jianyong
Published: January 2023

As a major cause of clinical chronic infection, microbial biofilms/microcolonies in host tissues essentially live in 3D‐constrained microenvironments, which potentially modulate their spatial self‐organization and morphodynamics. However, it still remains unclear whether and how mechanical cues of 3D confined microenvironments, for example, extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness, exert an impact on antibiotic resistance of bacterial biofilms/microcolonies. With a high‐throughput antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST) platform, it is revealed that 3D ECM rigidities greatly modulate their resistance to diverse antibiotics. The microcolonies in 3D ECM with human tissue‐specific rigidities varying from 0.5 to 20 kPa show a ≈2–10 000‐fold increase in minimum inhibitory concentration, depending on the types of antibiotics. The authors subsequently identified that the increase in 3D ECM rigidities leads to the downregulation of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which is responsible for enhanced antibiotic resistance. Further, it is shown that fumarate, as a potentiator of TCA cycle activity, can alleviate the elevated antibiotic resistance and thus remarkably improve the efficacy of antibiotics against bacterial microcolonies in 3D confined ECM, as confirmed in the chronic infection mice model. These findings suggest fumarate can be employed as an antibiotic adjuvant to effectively treat infections induced by bacterial biofilms/microcolonies in a 3D‐confined environment.
Design of Uniform Hollow Carbon Nanoarchitectures: Different Capacitive Deionization between the Hollow Shell Thickness and Cavity Size
Authors: Tang Yijian , Ding Jiani , Zhou Wenxuan , Cao Shuai , Yang Feiyu , Sun Yangyang , Zhang Songtao , Xue Huaiguo , Pang Huan
Published: January 2023

Carbon‐based materials with high capacitance ability and fast electrosorption rate are ideal electrode materials in capacitive deionization (CDI). However, traditional carbon materials have structural limitations in electrochemical and desalination performance due to the low capacitance and poor transmission channel of the prepared electrodes. Therefore, reasonable design of electrode material structure is of great importance for achieving excellent CDI properties. Here, uniform hollow carbon materials with different morphologies (hollow carbon nanospheres, hollow carbon nanorods, hollow carbon nano‐pseudoboxes, hollow carbon nano‐ellipsoids, hollow carbon nano‐capsules, and hollow carbon nano‐peanuts) are reasonably designed through multi‐step template method and calcination of polymer precursors. Hollow carbon nanospheres and hollow carbon nano‐pseudoboxes exhibit better capacitance and higher salt adsorption capacity (SAC) due to their stable carbonaceous structure during calcination. Moreover, the effects of the thickness of the shell and the size of the cavity on the CDI performance are also studied. HCNSs‐0.8 with thicker shell (≈20 nm) and larger cavity (≈320 nm) shows the best SAC value of 23.01 mg g−1 due to its large specific surface area (1083.20 m2 g−1) and rich pore size distribution. These uniform hollow carbon nanoarchitectures with functional properties have potential applications in electrochemistry related fields.
Tailoring Crystallization Growth of Small‐Molecule Organic Semiconductors by Modification with Conjugated Polymers for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Liu Cheng‐Fang , Li Shuangshuang , Zhang Jing , Duan Wenjun , Zhang Yuheng , Liu Heping , Luo Qian , Chen Shuoguo , Liu Xu , Lai Wen‐Yong
Published: January 2023

By investigating a typical small molecule, 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS), the crucial influence of conjugated polymers as additives on modulating the crystallization processes, crystalline structures, and carrier transport is unraveled. The conjugated polymer additives including poly[2,5‐bis(3‐alkylthio‐phen‐2‐yl)thieno(3,2‐b)thiophene (PBTTT) and poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) via a solution crystallization method can bring in crystalline structures that are not accessible by nonconjugated polymers, demonstrating superior order and enhanced carrier transport without external treatments. In such cases, polymorphism of the small molecules is manipulated by the features of conjugated polymers in the blend. According to optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), different crystalline morphologies such as fibrous crystals from TIPS/PBTTT and rod‐like crystals from TIPS/F8BT are observed, which is determined by the crystalline habitats and solubility of conjugated polymers in small‐molecule/polymer blends. Meanwhile, organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) based on TIPS/PBTTT and TIPS/F8BT blends are prepared for the purpose of exploring the electrical characteristics, yielding the mobility of 0.3 and 3.53 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. The conjugated‐polymer‐mediated polymorphism of small molecules can provide an attractive platform to explore the fundamental relationship between crystal stacking and electrical behaviors without altering the chemical structure.
A Knowledge Transfer Method for Unsupervised Pose Keypoint Detection Based on Domain Adaptation and CAD Models
Authors: Du Fuzhou , Kong Feifei , Zhao Delong
Published: January 2023

Vision‐based pose estimation is a basic task in many industrial fields such as bin‐picking, autonomous assembly, and augmented reality. One of the most commonly used pose estimation methods first detects the 2D pose keypoints in the input image and then calculates the 6D pose using a pose solver. Recently, deep learning is widely used in pose keypoint detection and performs excellent accuracy and adaptability. However, its over‐reliance on sufficient and high‐quality samples and supervision is prominent, particularly in the industrial field, leading to high data cost. Based on domain adaptation and computer‐aided‐design (CAD) models, herein, a virtual‐to‐real knowledge transfer method for pose keypoint detection to reduce the data cost of deep learning is proposed. To address the disorder of knowledge flow, a viewpoint‐driven feature alignment strategy is proposed to simultaneously eliminate interdomain differences and preserve intradomain differences. The shape invariance of rigid objects is then introduced as constraints to address the large assumption space problem in the regressive domain adaptation. The multidimensional experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the method. Without real annotations, the normalized pixel error of keypoint detection is reported as 0.033, and the proportion of pixel errors lower than 0.05 is up to 92.77%.
Wind Defiant Morphing Drones
Authors: Vourtsis Charalampos , Rochel Victor Casas , Müller Nathan Samuel , Stewart William , Floreano Dario
Published: January 2023

Intense winds are a challenge for vertical take‐off and landing drones with wings. In particular, in the hovering regime, wings are sensitive to wind currents that can be detrimental to their operational and energetic performances. Tail‐sitters are particularly prone to those wind currents because their wings are perpendicular to the incoming wind during hovering. This wind generates a large amount of drag and can displace and destabilize the vehicle, possibly leading to catastrophic failures. Herein, our morphing strategy demonstrates in a custom‐built 1.8 kg tail‐sitter with morphing wings that can actively resist winds and leverage them to increase its aerodynamic efficiency. It is shown that adaptive wing morphing during hovering in adverse wind conditions can reduce normalized energy consumption up to 85%, increase attitude and positional stability, and leverage wind energy to increase its yaw angular rate up to 200% while decreasing motor saturation levels.
Reply to the Correspondence on “Crystalline Porous Organic Salt for Ultrarapid Adsorption/Desorption‐Based Atmospheric Water Harvesting by Dual Hydrogen Bond System”
Authors: Xing Guolong , Zhang Shuai , Zhu Weidong , Ben Teng
Published: January 2023

White et al., in a recent Correspondence, provided additional structural data to illustrate that CPOS‐6 undergoes a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation during water adsorption/desorption. This finding gave a better understanding of the relevant experimental phenomena from the perspective of structural transformation and is a good complement to our previous results. However, we wish to emphasize that our research focuses on the kinetic behavior of water during ultrafast adsorption/desorption in nano‐confined channels. Herein, we further interpret the rapid transport of water molecules in the nano‐confined channels from the perspective of superfluidity.
Engineering Cytochrome P450BM3 Enzymes for Direct Nitration of Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Authors: Wang Xiling , Lin Xiaodan , Jiang Yiping , Qin Xiangquan , Ma Nana , Yao Fuquan , Dong Sheng , Liu Chuanfei , Feng Yingang , Jin Longyi , Xian Mo , Cong Zhiqi
Published: January 2023

Applications of the peroxidase activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes in synthetic chemistry remain largely unexplored. We present herein a protein engineering strategy to increase cytochrome P450BM3 peroxidase activity for the direct nitration of aromatic compounds and terminal aryl‐substituted olefins in the presence of a dual‐functional small molecule (DFSM). Site‐directed mutations of key active‐site residues allowed the efficient regulation of steric effects to limit substrate access and, thus, a significant decrease in monooxygenation activity and increase in peroxidase activity. Nitration of several phenol and aniline compounds also yielded ortho‐ and para‐nitration products with moderate‐to‐high total turnover numbers. Besides direct aromatic nitration by P450 variants using nitrite as a nitrating agent, we also demonstrated the use of the DFSM‐facilitated P450 peroxidase system for the nitration of the vinyl group of styrene and its derivatives.
Effects of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on different larval instars of Lymantria dispar asiatica
Authors: Hwang Hwal‐Su , Acharya Rajendra , Lucas Mezione de Carvalho , Sharma Sushant Raj , Lee Young‐Su , Lee Kyeong‐Yeoll
Published: January 2023

Outbreaks of Lymantria dispar asiatica (the Asian spongy moth; Lepidoptera: Erebidae) occur sporadically, causing widespread damage to forest and fruit trees. Owing to the development of pesticide resistance and environmental contamination, biopesticides, including L. dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), can significantly contribute to controlling overall larval stage of this species. Although both pathogens are highly effective at the larval stage, their effects on different instar stages have not been investigated. In this study, we analyzed the mortality and lethality in different L. dispar asiatica instars exposed to single or combined pathogen treatments. Treatments with low or medium LdMNPV concentrations induced lower mortality and had higher LT50 values at the 4th and 5th instars compared with other instars, whereas high LdMNPV treatments induced high mortality in all instars, with higher LT50 values at later instars. Treatment with Btk induced a rapid 100% mortality in all instars, with higher LT50 values for the later instars. The combination of LdMNPV and Btk delayed the killing time compared with the effects of single treatments, with the effect being more pronounced in the 1st and 5th instar stage than at other stages at low Btk concentrations. Our findings indicate that the pathogenic effects of LdMNPV and Btk on L. dispar asiatica differ according to larval stage, thereby providing novel insights into enhancing the biological control efficacy of these agents against L. dispar asiatica in the field.
Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli to efficiently produce monophosphoryl lipid A
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zhao Aizhen , Wang Chenhui , Huang Danyang , Yu Jing , Yu Letong , Wu Yuanming , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2023

Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), mainly isolated from Salmonella minnesota R595, has been used as adjuvant in several vaccines. In this study, an Escherichia coli strain that can efficiently produce the MPL has been constructed. The gene clusters related to the biosynthesis of O‐antigen, core oligosaccharide, enterobacterial common antigen, and colanic acid were sequentially removed to save the carbon source and to increase the activity of PagP in E. coli MG1655. Then, the genes pldA, mlaA, and mlaC related to the phospholipid transport system were further deleted, resulting in the strain MW012. Finally, the genes lpxE from Francisella novicida and pagP and pagL from Salmonella were overexpressed in MW012 to modify the structure of lipid A, resulting in the strain MW012/pWEPL. Lipid A species were isolated from MW012/pWEPL and analyzed by thin‐layer chromatography and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results showed that mainly two MPL species were produced in E. coli MW012/pWEPL, one is hexa‐acylated, and the other is penta‐acylated. More importantly, the proportion of the hexa‐acylated MPL, which is the most effective component of lipid A vaccine adjuvant, reached 75%. E. coli MW012/pWEPL constructed in this study provided a good alternative for the production of lipid A vaccine adjuvant MPL.
Yoshio Gonnosuke and His Comparative Dutch‐Japanese Syntax: Glimpses at the Unpublished Second Part of Siebold's “Epitome Linguae Japonicae”**
Authors: Osterkamp Sven
Published: January 2023

After outlining the life and works of interpreter Yoshio Gonnosuke, this paper introduces the manuscript witnesses of his hitherto unstudied comparative Dutch–Japanese syntax written in the mid‐1820s, which was modelled on Pieter Weiland's Nederduitsche spraakkunst (1805). This is followed by a closer look at the process of compilation and publication of Philipp Franz von Siebold's “Epitome linguae japonicae,” of which only the first part was published in 1826. Evidence is provided to confirm Yoshio's involvement in this work and to suggest that Yoshio's syntax was in fact intended to form the core of its unpublished second part.
The impact of chief executive officer narcissism on environmental, social, and governance reporting
Authors: Kind Finja Lena , Zeppenfeld Jennifer , Lueg Rainer
Published: January 2023

We analyze the effect of chief executive officer (CEO) narcissism on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. The study relies partly on hand‐collected, visual data and covers 57 German DAX 40 and MDAX companies from 2016 to 2020 (266 company‐year observations, Bloomberg database). Looking into the sub‐scores of ESG, CEO narcissism has a negative and linear relationship with environment and governance reporting but there is no significant relationship between narcissism and social reporting. Regression analyses further suggest a U‐shaped (quadratic) relation between CEO narcissism and ESG reporting: while low to moderate degrees of narcissism affect overall ESG reporting negatively, as CEO levels of narcissism increase so does the level of reporting. Moreover, further analysis has shown that the quantity of reporting is additionally positively related to ESG performance. The study applies and validates a relatively new but easily applicable measure of narcissism and extends narcissism research in the area of curvilinear relationships. We offer several further implications for human resource managers, regulators, auditors, and (non‐)financial analysts.
Expressing our passion in leadership
Authors: Skipworth Stan
Published: January 2023

Since this is a time of the year in which we find ourselves taking note of and expressing our sentiments and feelings for others more deliberately, I found myself considering the unique form of passion that leaders have for their teams and team members. Passion is indeed a tremendously powerful element in any relationship, but the passion that is expressed through a leader's professional actions is something that has both a lasting and influential effect upon those whom the leader serves.
Report anticipates winter break will negatively impact some student mental health
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2023

The winter break will potentially negatively impact the mental health of significant percentage of college and university students, according to a nationwide survey conducted by TimelyMD.
Determinants and long‐term outcomes of largely uncovered struts in thin‐struts drug‐eluting stents assessed by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Moretti Francesco , Bernelli Chiara , Pellegrini Dario , Boccuzzi Giacomo , Colombo Francesco , Sirbu Vasile , Vassileva Angelina , Fiocca Luigi , Canova Paolo , Bezerra Hiram , Pereira Gabriel T. R. , Cereda Alberto , De Luca Leonardo , Saia Francesco , Capodanno Davide , Guagliumi Giulio
Published: January 2023

Background

Uncovered struts are a determinant of stent failure. The impact of plaque composition and procedural factors on the occurrence, evolution, and outcomes of uncovered struts in a high‐risk setting has not been investigated.

Objective

To investigate the determinants and long‐term clinical impact of largely uncovered struts (LUS) in thin‐struts drug‐eluting stents (DES) implanted in complex lesions by intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Ninety patients with multivessel disease undergoing staged complete revascularization were randomly assigned to bioabsorbable or durable polymer DES. OCT were serially performed during the index procedure, at 3‐ and 18‐month follow‐up, and analyzed by an independent core lab. Struts were defined uncovered by OCT if no tissue was visible above the struts. LUS were defined as ≥30% of uncovered struts at 3‐month follow‐up. Clinical outcomes were the occurrence of target vessel failure (TVF) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 5‐year follow‐up.

Results

LUS occurred in 31 patients (34.4%) regardless of stent platform. At 5 years, no differences were observed in the rate of TVF (12.7% vs. 13.4%; p = 0.91) and MACCE (23.9% vs. 24.9%; p = 0.88) between the two groups. At multivariate logistic regression, plaque rupture, mean lumen diameter, proximal reference vessel area, and maximum stent deployment pressure were independent predictors of LUS.

Conclusions

LUS are a frequent finding in complex coronary lesions treated with thin‐struts DES, especially in the presence of plaque rupture. However, in this study, no significant safety signal related to LUS emerged in long‐term follow‐up.
Improving efficiency and operator proficiency during percutaneous coronary interventions utilizing a standardized optical coherence tomography workflow
Authors: Khuddus Matheen A. , Darki Amir , Padaliya Bimal B. , West Nick E. J. , Rapoza Richard J. , Buccola Jana , Amis Gregory , Chehab Bassem M. , Secemsky Eric A. ,   LightLab Initiative Investigators
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This study was designed to compare efficiency and quality metrics between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures using optical coherence tomography (OCT) guided by a variable workflow versus a standardized workflow in a real‐world population.

Background

The LightLab (LL) Initiative was designed to evaluate the impact of a standardized OCT workflow during PCI to address barriers to adoption.

Methods

The LL Initiative was a multicenter, prospective, observational study. PCI efficiency data were collected from 1/21/19 to 1/8/21 from 45 physicians at 17 US centers. OCT‐guided PCIs were compared between baseline phase (variable workflow; N = 383) and the LL workflow utilization phase (N = 447). The LL workflow uses OCT to assess lesion Morphology, Length and Diameter, and then optimize outcomes by correcting for Medial dissection, stent mal‐Apposition, and under‐eXpansion (MLD MAX). Matching based on propensity scores was used to control for differences between PCIs.

Results

After propensity matching, 291 paired procedures were included. Integration of the LL versus variable workflow resulted in no difference in procedure time (51 min vs. 51 min, p = 0.93). There was a reduction in radiation exposure (1124 mGy vs. 1493 mGy, p < 0.0001) and contrast volume (160 cc vs. 172 cc, p < 0.001). The LL workflow decreased the proportion of underexpanded lesions (34% vs. 54%, p < 0.0001) and improved minimum stent expansion (85% vs. 79%, p < 0.0001). Number of noncompliant balloons used was reduced with the LL workflow. (2.0 vs. 1.7, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

These data suggest that standardizing imaging with the LL workflow may overcome barriers to imaging and improve PCI outcomes without prolonging procedures.
The MLD MAX OCT algorithm: An imaging‐based workflow for percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Shlofmitz Evan , Croce Kevin , Bezerra Hiram , Sheth Tej , Chehab Bassem , West Nick E. J. , Shlofmitz Richard , Ali Ziad A.
Published: January 2023

Although extensive clinical data support the utility of intravascular imaging to guide and optimize outcomes following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), clinical adoption remains limited. One of the primary reasons for limited utilization may be a lack of standardization on how to best integrate the data provided by intravascular imaging practically. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a high‐resolution intravascular imaging modality with integrated software automation that allows for incorporation of OCT into the routine workflow of PCIs. We suggest use of an algorithm called MLD MAX to incorporate OCT for imaging‐guided interventions: the baseline OCT imaging run is intended to facilitate procedural planning and strategizing, consisting of assessment for predominant lesion morphology (M), measurement for stent length (L) and determination of stent diameter (D); the post‐PCI OCT imaging run is designated for assessment of need for further optimization of stent result, and consists of analysis for medial dissections (M), adequate stent apposition (A) and stent expansion (X). Incorporation of the MLD MAX algorithm into daily practice guides an efficient and easily‐memorable workflow for optimized PCI procedures.
Morphology‐Dependent Aggregation‐Induced Emission of Janus Emulsion Surfactants
Authors: Marqués Pablo Simón , Krajewska Martyna , Frank Bradley D. , Prochaska Krystyna , Zeininger Lukas
Published: January 2023

We report a novel stimuli‐responsive fluorescent material platform that relies on an evocation of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) from tetraphenylethylene (TPE)‐based surfactants localized at one hemisphere of biphasic micro‐scale Janus emulsion droplets. Dynamic alterations in the available interfacial area were evoked through surfactant‐induced dynamic changes of the internal droplet morphology that can be modulated as a function of the balance of interfacial tensions of the droplet constituent phases. Thus, by analogy with a Langmuir–Blodgett trough that enables selective concentration of surfactants at a liquid–gas interface, we demonstrate here a method for controllable modulation of the available interfacial area of surfactant‐functionalized liquid–liquid interfaces. We show that a morphology‐dependent alteration of the interfacial area can be used to evoke an optical signal, by selectively assembling synthesized TPE‐based surfactants on the respective droplet interfaces. A trigger‐induced increase in the concentration of TPE‐based surfactants at the liquid–liquid interfaces results in an evocation of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), inducing an up to 3.9‐fold increase in the measured emission intensity of the droplets.
A Cu+/Thiourea Dendrimer Achieves Excellent Cytosolic Protein Delivery via Enhanced Cell Uptake and Endosome Escape
Authors: Liang Mengxiao , Cheng Yiyun , Wang Hui
Published: January 2023

Intracellular protein delivery has attracted considerable attention in the development of protein‐based therapeutics, however, the design of highly efficient materials for robust delivery of native proteins remains challenging. This study proposes a Cu+ ‐based coordination polymer for cytosolic protein delivery with high efficacy and robustness. The phenylthiourea grafted dendrimer is coordinated with cuprous ions to prepare the polymeric carrier, which efficiently bind cargo proteins via a combination of coordination, ionic and hydrophobic interactions. The incorporation of Cu+ ions in the polymer greatly improves its cellular uptake and endosomal escape. The cuprous‐based coordination polymer successfully delivered a variety of structurally diverse proteins into various cell lines with reserved bioactivities. This study provides a new type of coordination polymers for cytosolic delivery of biomacromolecules.
Impact of a dedicated center for atrial fibrillation on resource utilization and costs
Authors: Medhekar Ankit , Mulukutla Suresh , Adams Whitney , Kristofik Amanda , Byers Erica , Thoma Floyd , Aronis Konstantinos , Barrington William , Bazaz Raveen , Bhonsale Aditya , Estes Nathan Anthony Mark , Kancharla Krishna , Voigt Andrew , Wang Norman C. , Saba Samir , Jain Sandeep K.
Published: January 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects millions of Americans each year and can lead to high levels of resource utilization through emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient stays.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that referral of patients to a dedicated Center for AF from the ED would reduce costs of care.

Methods

The University of Pittsburgh Center for AF serves as a rapid referral center for patients with AF to avoid unnecessary inpatient admissions and provide specialized care. Patients that presented to the ED with AF and met prespecified criteria were directed to rapid outpatient follow‐up instead of inpatient admission. The primary outcome of interest was 30‐day total costs. Secondary outcomes included outpatient costs, inpatient costs, 90‐day costs, and inpatient stay characteristics.

Results

We identified 96 patients (median age 65, 38% women) referred to the center for AF for a new diagnosis of AF between October 2017 and December 2019 and matched 96 control patients. After 30 days of follow‐up, patients referred to the center for AF had a lower average cost ($619 vs. $1252, p < 0.001) compared to controls, driven by lower costs of ED care tempered by slightly higher outpatient costs. Thirty‐day admissions and lengths of stay were also lower. These differences were persistent at 90 days.

Conclusion

Directing patients with AF that present to the ED to follow‐up at a dedicated Center for AF significantly reduced overall costs, while reducing subsequent inpatient admissions and total lengths of stay in the hospital.
Does a three‐dimensional Impact Message Inventory‐Circumplex (IMI‐C) enclose an indirect measure of reactance?
Authors: Hafkenscheid Anton , Timmerman Marieke E.
Published: January 2023

Clinicians can rely on the Impact Message Inventory‐Circumplex (IMI‐C) to map their emotional reactions to their patients' communication style in octant and main dimension scores on the two‐dimensional interpersonal circle, based on affiliation (AFF) and control (CON) as the underlying main dimensions. However, modern emotion theories distinguish three, rather than two, robust dimensions of emotional experience and the perception of interpersonal behaviours: (1) positive versus negative evaluation (related to AFF), (2) strong versus weak (related to CON) and (3) active versus passive (arousal). In a large Dutch patient sample (N = 1,001), we first tested whether the two‐dimensional circumplex structure of the IMI‐C could be replicated using Browne's circumplex model. Then we explored whether a third dimension could be retrieved from therapists' IMI‐C responses using exploratory factor analysis, followed by orthogonal target rotation towards a partially specified target matrix, with the first two factors specified according to the circumplex structure, and the other factor(s) left free. The two‐dimensional circumplex of the IMI‐C could be validated to a fair extent. Using exploratory factor models, we found supporting evidence for a third factor, which could be interpreted as reflecting reactance (‘active’ vs. ‘passive’ opposition). We recommend to extend the current two‐dimensional interpretation to a three‐dimensional interpretation of IMI‐C responses, by adding a reactance dimension.
Identification of new sources of Hessian fly resistance in tetraploid wheat
Authors: Nemacheck Jill A. , Flynn Rachel D. , Zapf Kathleen , Subramanyam Subhashree
Published: January 2023

Hessian fly (HF) (Mayetiola destructor Say) is an obligate destructive pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) causing severe economic losses worldwide. Deployment of resistant wheat cultivars harboring HF resistance (H) genes is still the most effective and economical method to manage this insect pest. However, extensive use of H genes can impose selection pressure on HF populations, leading to the development of virulent biotypes that can breakdown plant resistance. Further, increase in environmental temperatures to 25–30°C during the wheat‐growing season can also negatively impact HF resistance, thereby necessitating the identification of new and novel sources of HF resistance and evaluate them for temperature sensitivity. In the current study, we evaluated the phenotypic response of 254 Triticum turgidum (L.) wheat accessions of African origin to Biotype L HF infestation. Of these, 10 accessions exhibited >70% resistance to Biotype L HF infestation. These 10 resistant accessions also showed >70% resistance when screened with vH13 HF biotype. Additionally, these HF resistant lines were evaluated for expression of resistance at a higher temperature of 30°C, and three tetraploid wheat accessions that maintained 100% resistance to Biotype L HF at the increased temperature were identified. These newly identified HF resistant lines offer valuable tools to breeders and farmers that can be used in breeding programs to develop cultivars for durable resistance to HF and efficient crop management.
A novel copper chelator for the suppression of colorectal cancer
Authors: Shi Xiaolong , Li Ying , Jia Mengting , Zhang Zhixin , Huang Lunhua , Zhang Miaomiao , Xun Qingqing , Jiang Di , Liu Yanrong
Published: January 2023

Copper ions play a crucial role in the progression of cancers. Tumor tissue is rich in copper ions, and copper chelators could potentially scavenge these copper ions and thus exert an antitumor effect. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel thieno[3,2‐c]pyridine compound we have called “JYFY‐001” that can act as the copper chelator thanks to the inclusion of an N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide moiety that targets copper ions. JYFY‐001 potently inhibited cancer proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis and impairing the extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. JYFY‐001 also inhibited the growth of a CRC‐transplanted tumor in a dose‐dependent manner, inducing apoptosis of the tumor cells and promoting the infiltration of lymphocytes in the CRC‐transplanted tumor tissues. JYFY‐001 also enhanced the antitumor effects of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) inhibitor. The relatively benign nature of JYFY‐001 was demonstrated by the effect on normal cell viability and acute toxicity tests in mice. Our findings suggest that JYFY‐001 is a prospective copper chelator to be used as a targeted drug and a synergist of immunotherapy for CRC treatments.
The duration of ketamine detection in hair after treatment cessation: Case study and review of the literature in forensic and clinical casework
Authors: Larabi I.‐A. , Etting I. , Alvarez J.‐C.
Published: January 2023

The disappearance of drug from hair does not occur immediately after abstinence because dormant hair may contribute to the positivity of freshly grown hair. The aim of this study was to assess ketamine disappearance from hair after treatment cessation and to review the literature data. A 22‐year‐old female received three intravenous doses of ketamine (171 mg) for major depression treatment. Seventeen weeks later, a 26 cm lock of hair was sampled, and ketamine was determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) on seven segments: A (proximal, 0–2 cm), B (2–4 cm), C (4–6 cm, period of ketamine therapy), and D to G (4 × 5 cm). Ketamine concentration was 58 pg/mg in Segment C and remained detectable over 4 months after treatment cessation at 67 pg/mg in Segment B and 2 pg/mg in Segment A, representing a 97% drop from the initial concentration. Ketamine elimination half‐life in hair was estimated at 0.88 month, implying that indetectable concentration should be expected 7 months after cessation. Axial diffusion was excluded as ketamine was not detected in Segments D–G. Given the low ketamine concentrations, norketamine was not detected. While no data on ketamine disappearance from hair have been published to date, previous studies have shown that discontinuation resulted in negative hair results after 3 months for heroin, 3–4 months for cocaine and tramadol, 6 months for amphetamine and methamphetamine, and 6–7 months for THC‐COOH. This study provides useful findings for ketamine hair concentration interpretation, which should be validated by more consistent and comprehensive investigations.
Persistence and quality of vegetation cover in expired Conservation Reserve Program fields
Authors: Vandever Mark W. , Elgersma Kenneth , Carter Sarah K. , Wen Ai , Welty Justin L. , Arkle Robert S. , Assal Timothy J. , Pilliod David S. , Mushet David M. , Iovanna Rich
Published: January 2023

For nearly 40 years, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has implemented practices to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators on highly erodible cropland in the United States. However, an approximately 40,470 ha (10 million acres) decline in enrolled CRP land over the last decade has greatly reduced the program's environmental benefits. We sought to assess the program's enduring benefits in the central and western United States by (1) determining the proportion of fields that persist in CRP cover after contracts expired, (2) identifying the type of agricultural production that CRP fields shift to after contract expiration, (3) comparing the vegetation characteristics of expired CRP fields that are persisting in CRP‐type cover with enrolled CRP fields, and (4) identifying differences in management activities (e.g., haying, grazing) between expired and enrolled CRP fields. We conducted edge‐of‐field vegetation cover surveys in 1092 CRP fields with contracts that expired ≥3 years prior and 1786 currently enrolled CRP fields in 14 states. We found that 41% of expired CRP fields retained at least half of their area in CRP‐type cover, with significant variation in persistence among regions ranging from 19% to 84%. When expired fields retained CRP vegetation, bare ground was low in all regions and grass cover was somewhat greater than in fields with current CRP contracts, but at the expense of forb cover in some regions. Evidence of more frequent management in expired CRP fields may explain differences between active and expired CRP fields. Overall, there is clear evidence that CRP‐type cover frequently persists and provides benefits for more than three years after contract expiration. Retaining CRP‐type cover, post‐contract, is an under‐recognized program benefit that persists across the central and western United States long after the initial retirement from cropland.
Revealing large‐scale parasite ranges: An integrated spatiotemporal database and multisource analysis of the winter tick
Authors: Chenery Emily S. , Harms N. Jane , Fenton Heather , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Molnár Péter K.
Published: January 2023

Concerns that climate warming may drive the spread of ectoparasites into previously uninhabited areas have increased the need for baseline knowledge of their distributional history. For species of wildlife health concern, presence data are often lacking or outdated, thus limiting our ability to assess range changes and subsequent host impacts. We reconstructed the past and present distribution of the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, through the compilation of a spatiotemporal database to create the first full baseline map of its occurrence throughout its North American range. The ongoing impacts of winter tick epizootics in moose (Alces alces) and recent mortality events in elk (Cervus canadensis) and white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have led to a resurgence in interest in the future of this parasite in a warming climate. Over 3400 unique records of winter tick occurrence were compiled from multiple data sources, dating from 1869 to 2020 and spanning from 16.5 to 66.2° N latitude. Both conventional published sources and natural history records were included along with new records from previously unpublished datasets and citizen science observations, to make this a comprehensive occurrence dataset for this species. Along with standardized location information and year of observation, the dataset includes associated host species and descriptive categorization of the type and source of each record, providing new opportunities to examine host–parasite interactions in the winter tick system over time and space. In presenting these data, we discuss the potential sampling biases and lacunas in our integrated database records, particularly at the winter tick's northernmost range. We also document changes in the types and sources of winter tick information from past to present, highlighting potential issues that should be considered before using these data in further analyses and when collecting ongoing records. Our database demonstrates that the collation and synthesis of records beyond conventional sources can shed light on the distributional history of tick species and serve as a useful baseline for prioritizing future research and management decisions.