bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ab initio quantum simulation of strongly correlated materials with quantum embedding
Authors: Cao Changsu , Sun Jinzhao , Yuan Xiao , Hu Han-Shi , Pham Hung Q. , Lv Dingshun
Published: May 2023

Quantum computing has shown great potential in various quantum chemical applications such as drug discovery, material design, and catalyst optimization. Although significant progress has been made in the quantum simulation of simple molecules, ab initio simulation of solid-state materials on quantum computers is still in its early stage, mostly owing to the fact that the system size quickly becomes prohibitively large when approaching the thermodynamic limit. In this work, we introduce an orbital-based multifragment approach on top of the periodic density matrix embedding theory, resulting in a significantly smaller problem size for the current near-term quantum computer. We demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our method compared with the conventional methodologies and experiments on solid-state systems with complex electronic structures. These include spin-polarized states of a hydrogen chain (1D-H), the equation of state of a boron nitride layer (h-BN) as well as the magnetic ordering in nickel oxide (NiO), a prototypical strongly correlated solid. Our results suggest that quantum embedding combined with a chemically intuitive fragmentation can greatly advance quantum simulation of realistic materials, thereby paving the way for solving important yet classically hard industrial problems on near-term quantum devices.
Developmental and reproductive toxicity of a recombinant protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine (ZF2001) in rats
Authors: Song Yisheng , Shao Jinjin , She Guangbiao , Lv Wanqiang , Chen Guoyu , Liu Jing , Zhang Lili , Zhang Chengda , Wang Jiahong , Tian Ruiyu , Dai Lianpan , Gao George F. , Huang Enqi , Zhang Lijiang
Published: May 2023

ZF2001, a protein subunit vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), contains recombinant tandem repeat of dimeric receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with an aluminium-based adjuvant. During the development of this vaccine, two nonclinical studies were conducted to evaluate female fertility, embryo-fetal development, and postnatal developmental toxicity in Sprague‒Dawley rats according to the ICH S5 (R3) guideline. In Study 1 (embryo-fetal developmental toxicity, EFD), 144 virgin female rats were randomly assigned into four groups and received three doses of vaccine (25 μg or 50 μg RBD protein/dose, containing the aluminium-based adjuvant), the aluminium-based adjuvant or a sodium chloride injection administered intramuscularly on days 21 and 7 prior to mating and on gestation day (GD) 6. In Study 2 (pre- and postnatal developmental toxicity, PPND), ZF2001 at a dose of 25 μg RBD protein/dose or sodium chloride injection was administered intramuscularly to female rats (n = 28 per group) 7 days prior to mating and on GD 6, GD 20 and postnatal day (PND) 10. There were no obvious adverse effects in dams, except for local injection site reactions related to the aluminium-based adjuvant (yellow nodular deposits in the interstitial muscle fibres). There were also no effects of ZF2001 on the mating performance, fertility or reproductive performance of parental females, embryo-fetal development, postnatal survival, growth, physical development, reflex ontogeny, behavioural and neurofunctional development, or reproductive performance of the offspring. The strong immune responses associated with binding and neutralising antibodies were both confirmed in dams and fetuses or offspring in these two studies. These results would support clinical trials or the use of ZF2001 in maternal immunisation campaigns, including those involving women with childbearing potential, regardless of pregnancy status.
Chloroplast genome characterization of Uncaria guianensis and Uncaria tomentosa and evolutive dynamics of the Cinchonoideae subfamily
Authors: Castro Andrezza Arantes , Nunes Rhewter , Carvalho Larissa Resende , Targueta Cíntia Pelegrineti , dos Santos Braga-Ferreira Ramilla , de Melo-Ximenes Amanda Alves , Corvalán Leonardo Carlos Jeronimo , Bertoni Bianca Waleria , Pereira Ana Maria Soares , de Campos Telles Mariana Pires
Published: May 2023

Uncariaspecies are used in traditional medicine and are considered of high therapeutic value and economic importance. This work describes the assembly and annotation of the chloroplast genomes ofU. guianensisandU. tomentosa, as well as a comparative analysis. The genomes were sequenced on MiSeq Illumina, assembled with NovoPlasty, and annotated using CHLOROBOX GeSeq. Addictionaly, comparative analysis were performed with six species from NCBI databases and primers were designed in Primer3 for hypervariable regions based on the consensus sequence of 16 species of the Rubiaceae family and validated on an in-silico PCR in OpenPrimeR. The genome size ofU. guianensis and U. tomentosawas 155,505 bp and 156,390 bp, respectively. Both Species have 131 genes and GC content of 37.50%. The regionsrpl32-ccsA, ycf1,andndhF-ccsAshowed the three highest values of nucleotide diversity within the species of the Rubiaceae family and within theUncaria genus, these regions weretrnH-psbA,psbM-trnY,andrps16-psbK.Our results indicates that the primer of the regionndhAhad an amplification success for all species tested and can be promising for usage in the Rubiaceae family. The phylogenetic analysis recovered a congruent topology to APG IV. The gene content and the chloroplast genome structure of the analyzed species are conserved and most of the genes are under negative selection. We provide the cpDNA of NeotropicalUncariaspecies, an important genomic resource for evolutionary studies of the group.
Unraveling attributes of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in the U.S.: a large nationwide study
Authors: McCabe Sean D. , Hammershaimb E. Adrianne , Cheng David , Shi Andy , Shyr Derek , Shen Shuting , Cole Lyndsey D. , Cataldi Jessica R. , Allen William , Probasco Ryan , Silbermann Ben , Zhang Feng , Marsh Regan , Travassos Mark A. , Lin Xihong
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are useful tools to combat the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but vaccine reluctance threatens these vaccines’ effectiveness. To address COVID-19 vaccine reluctance and ensure equitable distribution, understanding the extent of and factors associated with vaccine acceptance and uptake is critical. We report the results of a large nationwide study in the US conducted December 2020-May 2021 of 36,711 users from COVID-19-focused smartphone-based app How We Feel on their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We identified sociodemographic and behavioral factors that were associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake, and we found several vulnerable groups at increased risk of COVID-19 burden, morbidity, and mortality were more likely to be reluctant to accept a vaccine and had lower rates of vaccination. Our findings highlight specific populations in which targeted efforts to develop education and outreach programs are needed to overcome poor vaccine acceptance and improve equitable access, diversity, and inclusion in the national response to COVID-19.
A randomized controlled trial of effects of open-label placebo compared to double-blind placebo and treatment-as-usual on symptoms of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Schaefer Michael , Zimmermann Kurt , Enck Paul
Published: May 2023

Placebo effects are known for numerous clinical symptoms. Until recently, deception of placebos was thought to be essential for placebo effects, but intriguing new studies suggest that even placebos without concealment (open-label placebos) may help patients with various clinical disorders. Most of those studies compared open-label placebo treatments with no treatment conditions (or treatment “as usual”). Given that open-label placebo studies obviously cannot be blinded, additional control studies are important to assess the efficacy of open-label placebos. The current study aimed to fil this gap by comparing open-label with conventional double-blind placebos and treatment as usual. Patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomly divided in different groups. The first group received open-label placebos, the second double-blind placebos, and the third was treated as usual. After 4 weeks, results demonstrated that open-label placebos improved allergic symptoms more than treatment-as-usual and even more as double-blind placebos. In addition, we observed that allergic symptoms in general (and also the open-label placebo effects) were reduced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The results suggest that seasonal allergic symptoms may be relieved by open-label placebos. We discuss these results by addressing possible different mechanisms of open-label and conventionally concealed placebo treatments.
Modified stepping behaviour during outdoor winter walking increases resistance to forward losses of stability
Authors: Best Aaron N. , Wu Amy R.
Published: May 2023

Healthy humans are proficient at maintaining stability when faced with diverse walking conditions, however, the control strategies that lead to this proficiency are unclear. Previous laboratory-based research has predominantly concluded that corrective stepping is the main strategy, but whether this finding holds when facing everyday obstacles outside of the laboratory is uncertain. We investigated changes in gait stability behaviour when walking outdoors in the summer and winter, hypothesizing that as ground conditions worsened in the winter, the stepping strategy would be hindered. Stability would then be maintained through compensatory strategies such as with ankle torques and trunk rotation. Data was collected in the summer and winter using inertial measurement units to collect kinematics and instrumented insoles to collect vertical ground reaction forces. Using the goodness of fit for a multivariate regression between the centre of mass state and foot placement we found that, counter to our hypothesis, stepping was not hindered by winter conditions. Instead, the stepping strategy was modified to increase the anterior-posterior margin of stability, increasing the resistance to a forward loss of stability. With stepping being unhindered, we did not observe any additional compensation from the ankle or trunk strategies.
A reconfigurable graphene patch antenna inverse design at terahertz frequencies
Authors: Mashayekhi Mohammad , Kabiri Pooria , Nooramin Amir Saman , Soleimani Mohammad
Published: May 2023

This article investigates the inverse design of a reconfigurable multi-band patch antenna based on graphene for terahertz applications to operate frequency range (2–5THz). In the first step, this article evaluates the dependence of the antenna radiation characteristics on its geometric parameters and the graphene properties. The simulation results show that it is possible to achieve up to 8.8 dB gain, 13 frequency bands, and 360$$^\circ$$

∘

beam steering. Then and due to the complexity of the design of graphene antenna, a deep neural network (DNN) is used to predict the antenna parameters by given inputs like desired realized gain, main lobe direction, half power beam width, and return loss in each resonance frequency. The trained DNN model predicts almost with 93% accuracy and 3% mean square error in the shortest time. Then, this network was used to design five-band and three-band antennas, and it has been shown that the desired antenna parameters are achieved with negligible errors. Therefore, the proposed antenna finds many potential applications in the THz frequency band.
Enhancing the upconversion efficiency of NaYF4:Yb,Er microparticles for infrared vision applications
Authors: Khosh Abady Keyvan , Dankhar Dinesh , Krishnamoorthi Arjun , Rentzepis Peter M.
Published: May 2023

In this study, (NaYF4:Yb,Er) microparticles dispersed in water and ethanol, were used to generate 540 nm visible light from 980 nm infrared light by means of a nonlinear stepwise two-photon process. IR-reflecting mirrors placed on four sides of the cuvette that contained the microparticles increased the intensity of the upconverted 540 nm light by a factor of three. We also designed and constructed microparticle-coated lenses that can be used as eyeglasses, making it possible to see rather intense infrared light images that are converted to visible.
Resting-state EEG delta and alpha power predict response to cognitive behavioral therapy in depression: a Canadian biomarker integration network for depression study
Authors: Schwartzmann Benjamin , Quilty Lena C. , Dhami Prabhjot , Uher Rudolf , Allen Timothy A. , Kloiber Stefan , Lam Raymond W. , Frey Benicio N. , Milev Roumen , Müller Daniel J. , Soares Claudio N. , Foster Jane A. , Rotzinger Susan , Kennedy Sidney H. , Farzan Faranak
Published: May 2023

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often recommended as a first-line treatment in depression. However, access to CBT remains limited, and up to 50% of patients do not benefit from this therapy. Identifying biomarkers that can predict which patients will respond to CBT may assist in designing optimal treatment allocation strategies. In a Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression (CAN-BIND) study, forty-one adults with depression were recruited to undergo a 16-week course of CBT with thirty having resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recorded at baseline and week 2 of therapy. Successful clinical response to CBT was defined as a 50% or greater reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from baseline to post-treatment completion. EEG relative power spectral measures were analyzed at baseline, week 2, and as early changes from baseline to week 2. At baseline, lower relative delta (0.5–4 Hz) power was observed in responders. This difference was predictive of successful clinical response to CBT. Furthermore, responders exhibited an early increase in relative delta power and a decrease in relative alpha (8–12 Hz) power compared to non-responders. These changes were also found to be good predictors of response to the therapy. These findings showed the potential utility of resting-state EEG in predicting CBT outcomes. They also further reinforce the promise of an EEG-based clinical decision-making tool to support treatment decisions for each patient.
Surveillance of avian influenza viruses from 2014 to 2018 in South Korea
Authors: Españo Erica , Shim Sang-Mu , Song Eun-Jung , Nam Jeong-Hyun , Jeong Seo-Hee , Padasas Bill Thaddeus , Kim Sang-Hyun , Kim Jeong-Ki
Published: May 2023

Surveillance of influenza A viruses (IAVs) among migratory waterfowl is a first step in understanding the ecology, biology, and pathogenicity of IAVs. As part of the nationwide surveillance effort for IAVs in fowl in South Korea, we collected environmental fecal samples in different migratory bird stopover sites in South Korea during the winter seasons within November 2014 through January 2018. We collected a total of 6758 fecal samples, 75 of which were positive for IAV (1.11% positivity). Prevalence of IAVs varied per site and per year. Based on sequencing, the most prevalent hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes were H1, H6, and H5, and the most prevalent neuraminidase (NA) subtypes were N1, N3, and N2. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the genes we isolated clustered with reported isolates collected from other locations along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. All the H5 and H7 isolates collected in this study were of low pathogenicity. None of the N1 and N2 genes carried amino acid markers of resistance against NA inhibitors. The winter 2016–2017 subset were primarily borne by migratory geese (Anser spp.). These results suggest that majority of the IAVs circulating among migratory wild fowl in South Korea in 2014–2018 were of low pathogenicity.
A model for emergency supply management under extended EDAS method and spherical hesitant fuzzy soft aggregation information
Authors: Ashraf Shahzaib , Sohail Muhammad , Choudhary Razia , Naeem Muhammad , Chambashi Gilbert , Ali Mohamed R.
Published: May 2023

Due to the frequent occurrence of numerous emergency events that have significantly damaged society and the economy, the need for emergency decision-making has been manifest recently. It assumes a controllable function when it is critical to limit property and personal catastrophes and lessen their negative consequences on the natural and social course of events. In emergency decision-making problems, the aggregation method is crucial, especially when there are more competing criteria. Based on these factors, we first introduced some basic concepts about SHFSS, and then we introduced some new aggregation operators such as the spherical hesitant fuzzy soft weighted average, spherical hesitant fuzzy soft ordered weighted average, spherical hesitant fuzzy weighted geometric aggregation, spherical hesitant fuzzy soft ordered weighted geometric aggregation, spherical hesitant fuzzy soft hybrid average, and spherical hesitant fuzzy soft hybrid geometric aggregation operator. The characteristics of these operators are also thoroughly covered. Also, an algorithm is developed within the spherical hesitant fuzzy soft environment. Furthermore, we extend our investigation to the Evaluation based on the Distance from Average Solution method in multiple attribute group decision-making with spherical hesitant fuzzy soft averaging operators. And a numerical illustration for “supply of emergency aid in post-flooding the situation” is given to show the accuracy of the mentioned work. Then a comparison between these operators and the EDAS method is also established in order to further highlight the superiority of the established work.
Fungicide-free management of Alternaria leaf blotch and fruit spot on apple indicates Alternaria spp. as secondary colonizer
Authors: Prechsl Ulrich E. , Rizzoli Werner , Marschall Klaus , Jasper Wubs E. R.
Published: May 2023

The fungal genus Alternaria is a pan-global pathogen of > 100 crops, and is associated with the globally expanding Alternaria leaf blotch in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) which leads to severe leaf necrosis, premature defoliation, and large economic losses. Up to date, the epidemiology of many Alternaria species is still not resolved as they can be saprophytic, parasitic or shift between both lifestyles and are also classified as primary pathogen able to infect healthy tissue. We argue that Alternaria spp. does not act as primary pathogen, but only as a necrosis-dependent opportunist. We studied the infection biology of Alternaria spp. under controlled conditions and monitored disease prevalence in real orchards and validated our ideas by applying fungicide-free treatments in 3-years field experiments. Alternaria spp. isolates were not able to induce necroses in healthy tissue, but only when prior induced damages existed. Next, leaf-applied fertilizers, without fungicidal effect, reduced Alternaria-associated symptoms (− 72.7%, SE: ± 2.5%) with the same efficacy as fungicides. Finally, low leaf magnesium, sulphur, and manganese concentrations were consistently linked with Alternaria-associated leaf blotch. Fruit spot incidence correlated positively with leaf blotch, was also reduced by fertilizer treatments, and did not expand during storage unlike other fungus-mediated diseases. Our findings suggest that Alternaria spp. may be a consequence of leaf blotch rather than its primary cause, as it appears to colonize the physiologically induced leaf blotch. Taking into account existing observations that Alternaria infection is connected to weakened hosts, the distinction may appear slight, but is of great significance, as we can now (a) explain the mechanism of how different stresses result in colonization with Alternaria spp. and (b) substitute fungicides for a basic leaf fertilizer. Therefore, our findings can result in significant decreases in environmental costs due to reduced fungicide use, especially if the same mechanism applies to other crops.
New insights into the hydrogen evolution reaction using Ni-ZIF8/67-derived electrocatalysts
Authors: Baghban Alireza , Habibzadeh Sajjad , Ashtiani Farzin Zokaee
Published: May 2023

One of the present great challenges is finding nonprecious materials characterized by efficient electrocatalytic behavior in order to substitute the expensive platinum-based materials for the purpose of hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). In this study, ZIF-67 and ZIF-67 were used as precursors in order to fabricate metallic-doped N-enriched carbon successfully through a simple process of pyrolysis for applying the hydrogen evolution reaction. In addition, nickel was added to these structures in the course of the synthesis procedure. While under high-temperature treatment, Nickel doped ZIF-67 was transformed into metallic NiCo doped N enriched carbon (NiCo/NC), under high-temperature treatments, Ni-doped ZIF-8 changed into metallic NiZn doped N enriched carbon (NiZn/NC). By combining metallic precursors, the following five structures were synthesized: NiCo/NC, Co/NC, NiZn/NC, NiCoZn/NC, as well as CoZn/NC. It is noteworthy that the produced Co/NC shows optimum hydrogen evolution reaction activity along with superior overpotential of 97 mV and the minimum Tafel slope of 60 mV/dec at 10 mA cm. In addition, the superb behavior of hydrogen evolution reaction can be attributable to the numerous active sites, the superior electrical conductivity of carbon, and the firm structure. As a result, the present paper suggests a novel strategy in order to produce nonprecious materials characterized by superb HER efficiency for future scholars.
Investigation of kinetic, isotherm and adsorption efficacy of thorium by orange peel immobilized on calcium alginate
Authors: Khamseh Ali A. Gh. , Ghorbanian Sohrab Ali , Amini Younes , Shadman Mohammad Mahdi
Published: May 2023

In this research work the thorium uptake on immobilized protonated orange peel was studied in a batch system. The effects of effective parameters such as biosorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration, and contact time on the biosorption of thorium were analyzed. The biosorption capacity of the immobilized orange peel for thorium at optimal conditions of initial pH 3.8, biosorbent dosage 8 g/L, and initial thorium concentration 170 mg/L was found to be 18.65 mg/g. According to the results of contact time, the biosorption process reached equilibrium after around 10 h of contact. Investigation of the kinetics showed that the biosorption of thorium onto immobilized orange peel follows the pseudo-second-order model. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to model the experimental equilibrium data. The results showed better agreement by the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum absorption capacity of immobilized protonated orange peel for thorium adsorption was predicted by the Langmuir isotherm at 29.58 mg/g.
The effect of Lavandula Coronopifolia essential oil on the biophysical properties of desensitization and deactivation gating currents in ionotropic receptors
Authors: Qneibi Mohammad , Jaradat Nidal , Al-Maharik Nawaf , Hawash Mohammed , Issa Linda , Suboh Shorooq , Yahya Leen , Khait Adan Abu , Warasneh Amjaad , Bdir Sosana
Published: May 2023

The rising incidence of cancer and the lack of effective therapeutic interventions for many neurological illnesses like Alzheimer's and epilepsy has prompted us to investigate the composition and effects of the Lavandula coronopifolia oil from Palestine on cancer cells and AMPA receptor subunits in the brain due to the vast range of beneficial properties of Lavandula coronopifolia essential oil (EO). GC/MS was used to analyze L. coronopifolia's EO chemistry. EO's cytotoxicity and biophysical effects on AMPA receptors were investigated using MTS and electrophysiological techniques. The GC–MS results revealed that L. coronopifolia EO has a high content of eucalyptol (77.23%), β-pinene (6.93%), and α-pinene (4.95%). The EO showed more significant antiproliferative selectivity activities against HepG2 cancer cell lines than HEK293T cell lines with IC50 values of 58.51 and 133.22 µg/mL, respectively. The EO of L. coronopifolia affected AMPA receptor kinetics (desensitization and deactivation) and preferred homomeric GluA1 and heteromeric GluA1/A2 receptors. These findings indicate the potential therapeutic use of L. coronopifolia EO in the selective treatment of HepG2 cancer cell lines and neurodegenerative diseases.
SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants harbor spike protein mutations responsible for their attenuated fusogenic phenotype
Authors: Park Seung Bum , Khan Mohsin , Chiliveri Sai Chaitanya , Hu Xin , Irvin Parker , Leek Madeleine , Grieshaber Ailis , Hu Zongyi , Jang Eun Sun , Bax Ad , Liang T. Jake
Published: May 2023

Since the emergence of the Omicron variants at the end of 2021, they quickly became the dominant variants globally. The Omicron variants may be more easily transmitted compared to the earlier Wuhan and the other variants. In this study, we aimed to elucidate mechanisms of the altered infectivity associated with the Omicron variants. We systemically evaluated mutations located in the S2 sequence of spike and identified mutations that are responsible for altered viral fusion. We demonstrated that mutations near the S1/S2 cleavage site decrease S1/S2 cleavage, resulting in reduced fusogenicity. Mutations in the HR1 and other S2 sequences also affect cell-cell fusion. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies and in silico modeling, these mutations affect fusogenicity possibly at multiple steps of the viral fusion. Our findings reveal that the Omicron variants have accumulated mutations that contribute to reduced syncytial formation and hence an attenuated pathogenicity.
Polarization bases compensation towards advantages in satellite-based QKD without active feedback
Authors: Chatterjee Sourav , Goswami Kaumudibikash , Chatterjee Rishab , Sinha Urbasi
Published: May 2023

Long-distance photonic implementations of quantum key distribution protocols have gained increased interest due to the promise of information-theoretic security against unauthorized eavesdropping. However, a significant challenge in this endeavor is photon-polarization getting affected due to the birefringence of fibers in fiber-based implementations, or variation of reference frames due to satellite movement in long-haul demonstrations. Conventionally, active feedback-based mechanisms are employed for real-time polarization tracking. Here, we propose and demonstrate an alternative approach via a proof-of-principle experiment over an in-lab entanglement-based (BBM92) protocol. In this approach, we perform a quantum state tomography to arrive at optimal measurement bases for any one party resulting in maximal (anti-)correlation in measurement outcomes of both parties. Our polarization-entangled bi-photons have 94% fidelity with a singlet state and a Concurrence of 0.92. By considering a representative 1 ns coincidence window span, we achieve a quantum-bit-error-rate (QBER) of ≈5%, and a key rate of ≈35 Kbps. The performance of our implementation is independent of any local polarization rotation. Finally, using optimization methods we achieve the best trade-off between the key rate, QBER, and balanced key symmetry. Our approach obviates the need for active polarization tracking. It is also applicable to such demonstrations with non-maximally entangled states and prepare-and-measure-based protocols with partially polarized single-photon sources.
Coastal proximity and visits are associated with better health but may not buffer health inequalities
Authors: Geiger Sandra J. , White Mathew P. , Davison Sophie M. C. , Zhang Lei , McMeel Oonagh , Kellett Paula , Fleming Lora E.
Published: May 2023

Societies value the marine environment for its health-promoting potential. In this preregistered study, we used cross-sectional, secondary data from the Seas, Oceans, and Public Health In Europe (SOPHIE) and Australia (SOPHIA) surveys to investigate: (a) relationships of self-reported home coastal proximity and coastal visits with self-reported general health; (b) the potential of both to buffer income-related health inequalities; and (c) the generalizability of these propositions across 15 countries (n = 11,916–14,702). We find broad cross-country generalizability that living nearer to the coast and visiting it more often are associated with better self-reported general health. These results suggest that coastal access may be a viable and generalized route to promote public health across Europe and Australia. However, the relationships are not strongest among individuals with low household incomes, thereby challenging widespread assumptions of equigenesis that access to coastal environments can buffer income-related health inequalities.
The Pathfinder plasmid toolkit for genetically engineering newly isolated bacteria enables the study of Drosophila-colonizing Orbaceae
Authors: Elston Katherine M , Phillips Laila E , Leonard Sean P , Young Eleanor , Holley Jo-anne C , Ahsanullah Tasneem , McReynolds Braydin , Moran Nancy A , Barrick Jeffrey E
Published: May 2023

Toolkits of plasmids and genetic parts streamline the process of assembling DNA constructs and engineering microbes. Many of these kits were designed with specific industrial or laboratory microbes in mind. For researchers interested in non-model microbial systems, it is often unclear which tools and techniques will function in newly isolated strains. To address this challenge, we designed the Pathfinder toolkit for quickly determining the compatibility of a bacterium with different plasmid components. Pathfinder plasmids combine three different broad-host-range origins of replication with multiple antibiotic resistance cassettes and reporters, so that sets of parts can be rapidly screened through multiplex conjugation. We first tested these plasmids in Escherichia coli, a strain of Sodalis praecaptivus that colonizes insects, and a Rosenbergiella isolate from leafhoppers. Then, we used the Pathfinder plasmids to engineer previously unstudied bacteria from the family Orbaceae that were isolated from several fly species. Engineered Orbaceae strains were able to colonize Drosophila melanogaster and could be visualized in fly guts. Orbaceae are common and abundant in the guts of wild-caught flies but have not been included in laboratory studies of how the Drosophila microbiome affects fly health. Thus, this work provides foundational genetic tools for studying microbial ecology and host-associated microbes, including bacteria that are a key constituent of the gut microbiome of a model insect species.
Holey MoS2-based electrochemical sensors for simultaneous dopamine and uric acid detection
Authors: Ipekci Hasan Huseyin
Published: May 2023

Holey MoS2 nanosheets were prepared for DA and UA detection simultaneously. Holes provided an enlarged electrochemical surface area and excellent electrochemical performance.
A simple approach to develop a paper-based biosensor for real-time uric acid detection
Authors: Verma Gulshan , Singhal Saloni , Rai Prince Kumar , Gupta Ankur
Published: May 2023

The current work reports the development of an inexpensive real-time sensing module for uric acid detection on a simple, disposable paper substrate.
Mesoporous polyacrylic acid/calcium phosphate coated persistent luminescence nanoparticles for improved afterglow bioimaging and chemotherapy of bacterial infection
Authors: Fu Xuan , Zhao Xu , Chen Li-Jian , Ma Piming , Liu Tianxi , Yan Xiu-Ping
Published: May 2023

Integrating the afterglow signal of NIR-emitting PLNPs with interesting luminescence enhancement phenomenon from PAA/CaP shell provides an ideal nanoplatform to amplify NIR afterglow bioimaging along with the chemotherapy of bacterial infection.
A biocompatible nano-barium sulfonate system for quad-modal imaging-guided photothermal radiotherapy of tumors
Authors: Lian Yunfei , Feng Fenyan , Meng Xinwang , Hu Yue , Huo Meirong , Wang Guangji , Li Juan
Published: May 2023

In this work, we developed biomimetic HSA@ICG–Ba nanoparticles as a novel nano-theranostics for FL/PA/CT/SPECT four-modal imaging guided photothermal-radiotherapy. The as-synthesized nanoparticles have been proved to be safe for the treated mice.
Synthesis of two nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots to construct fluorescence probes for sensitive Hg2+ detection with dual signal output
Authors: Chu Chengxiang , Zou Chengyue , Qiu Yue , Huo Danqun , Deng Yuanyi , Wang Xianfeng , Xu Guoren , Hou Changjun
Published: May 2023

Two nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots probes were fabricated for the detection of Hg2+ based on fluorescence “quenching” and “enhancing” mechanisms.
Approaches to the design of efficient and stable catalysts for biofuel reforming into syngas: doping the mesoporous MgAl2O4 support with transition metal cations
Authors: Sadykov Vladislav A. , Eremeev Nikita F. , Sadovskaya Ekaterina , Fedorova Julia E. , Arapova Marina V. , Bobrova Ludmilla N. , Ishchenko Arkady V. , Krieger Tamara A. , Melgunov Maksim S. , Glazneva Tatyana S. , Kaichev Vasily V. , Rogov Vladimir A.
Published: May 2023

The mesoporous MgAl2O4 support is promising for the design of efficient and stable to coking catalysts for natural gas and biofuel reforming into syngas.
Field-induced SIM behaviour in early lanthanide(iii) organophosphates containing 18-crown-6
Authors: Borah Aditya , Dey Sourav , Gupta Sandeep K. , Rajaraman Gopalan , Murugavel Ramaswamy
Published: May 2023

A series of novel 18-crown-6 encapsulated lanthanide(iii) organophosphates is synthesised and characterised by magnetic studies and theoretical calculations: the Ce and Nd complexes exhibit a rare field induced SIM behaviour with attractive Ueff values.
Electrode/electrolyte interphases in high-temperature batteries: a review
Authors: Zhu Yanli , Li Wei , Zhang Lan , Fang Wenhao , Ruan Qinqin , Li Jin , Zhang Fengjie , Zhang Haitao , Quan Ting , Zhang Suojiang
Published: May 2023

We present discussions about interphase formation and ionic transfer mechanisms at three kinds of representative interfaces in high-temperature batteries.
A moderate intensity ligand works best: a theoretical study on passivation effects of pyridine-based molecules for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Na , Zhang Weiyi , Li Quan-Song
Published: May 2023

The anchoring capacity of pyridine-based PMs makes a difference in PSCs.
Label-free detection of MiRNA biomarkers using broadband multi-resonant infrared metasurfaces for early breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Shuyan , Wu Qing Yang Steve , Chen Yi Fan , Hum Melissa , Wong Dave Chi Lok , Tan Ern Yu , Lee Ann Siew Gek , Teng Jinghua , U.S Dinish , Olivo Malini
Published: May 2023

SEIRA sensor and SEIRA-AR index analysis for biomarker detection in a clinical setting with benchmarking to industry standards.
Improvement in photodynamic activity by a porphyrin–fullerene composite system in lipid membranes
Authors: Nishimura Kotaro , Yamana Keita , Kawasaki Riku , Ikeda Atsushi
Published: May 2023

A lipid membrane-incorporated porphyrin–fullerene dyad system generated 1O2 upon photoirradiation and showed higher photodynamic activity toward HeLa and Colon26 cells than liposomes incorporating either porphyrin or fullerene alone.
Bioactivity of the cannabigerol cannabinoid and its analogues – the role of 3-dimensional conformation
Authors: Salha Mohammed , Adenusi Henry , Dupuis John H. , Bodo Enrico , Botta Bruno , McKenzie Iain , Yada Rickey Y. , Farrar David H. , Magolan Jakob , Tian Kun V. , Chass Gregory A.
Published: May 2023

Computational docking reveals the influence of conformation on the inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4. Such structure–activity relationships are dependent on intra-molecular interactions in cannabinoids, forming stabilised coiled structures.
Development of an α′-hydroxy enone for the aminocatalytic asymmetric formal conjugate addition of aldehydes to acrylates, vinyl ketones and acrolein
Authors: Odriozola José M. , Razkin Jesús , Lorea Beñat , Mielgo Antonia , García Jesús M. , Oiarbide Mikel , Palomo Claudio
Published: May 2023

Formally, a unified enantioselective conjugate addition of aldehydes to acrolein, alkyl–vinyl ketones and acrylic esters is feasible using simple commercially available aminocatalysts and α′-hydroxy enones as self-activated acceptor templates.
Polymer-mediated tuning of the monomer–aggregate equilibrium of a coumarin derivative for ratiometric sensing of protamine
Authors: Mal Dibya Kanti , Chittela Rajani Kant , Chakraborty Goutam
Published: May 2023

Utilization of the C7–PSS system as a highly selective ratiometric sensor for protamine.
Catalyst-controlled regiodivergent Friedel–Crafts reactions of 1-naphthols with 2,3-dioxopyrrolidines: synthesis of polycyclic 2-pyrrolidinones
Authors: Liu Si-Kai , Chien Pei-Hsuan , Huang Bo-Wei , Han Jeng-Liang
Published: May 2023

The catalyst-controlled regiodivergent Friedel–Crafts reactions of 1-naphthols with 2,3-dioxopyrrolidines have been developed.
Total synthesis of both enantiomers of the biosurfactant aureosurfactin via bidirectional synthesis with a chiral Horner–Wittig building block
Authors: Mittendorf Fabia , Quambusch Moritz , Kirsch Stefan F.
Published: May 2023

The first de novo synthesis of (−)- and (+)-aureosurfactin, using a chiral Horner–Wittig building block. Both enantiomers of the biosurfactant are easily accessible starting from only one chiral pool via a bidirectional synthetic strategy.
Regio- and stereo-controlled synthesis of 6-deoxy-β-d-ido-heptopyranosides related to Campylobacter jejuni HS:4
Authors: Homayonia Saba , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Ping , Ling Chang-Chun
Published: May 2023

A highly efficient, one-step stereo- and regioselective conversion of 6-deoxy-β-d-galacto-heptopyranosides to 6-deoxy-β-d-ido-heptopyranosides is reported to obtain several oligosaccharides related to the capsular polysaccharides of C. jejuni HS:4.
Alginate-based supermacroporous hydrogels fabricated by cryo-polymerization for uranium extraction from seawater
Authors: Zhang Xu , Li Dagang , Cui Chang , Chen Shusen , Ji Meng , Tang Weiwu , Yang Le , Zhang Fengqi , Li Jinying , Zhang Dongxiang , Xu Xiyan
Published: May 2023

An alginate-based supermacroporous hydrogel prepared by cryo-polymerization can be used for efficient uranium extraction from seawater.
An AIE-active type I photosensitizer based on N,N′-diphenyl-dihydrophenazine for high-performance photodynamic therapy under hypoxia
Authors: Li Sifan , Jin Xin , Zhang Zhiyun , Li Jing , Hua Jianli
Published: May 2023

An AIE-active type I photosensitizer DMPpy based on DHP was developed to efficiently generate superoxide anion radical (O2−˙) for overcoming the hypoxic dilemma in solid tumors with NIR emission (∼700 nm), large Stokes shifts (∼270 nm) and mitochondrial targeting ability.
Analysis of tribological behaviors and regulating functions at elevated temperatures of microchannel interfaces prepared in Ti-base alloys
Authors: Zhang Taiping , Xiao Na , Yang Kang , Zhang Feizhi , Hao Yongxing , Zhang Chenhua , Yin Xue , Zhu Yanfang
Published: May 2023

This work reports tribological behaviors and self-regulating functions of microchannel interfaces prepared in high-nickel Ti alloys, which is useful for enhancing service life and the usage accuracy of Ti-base aero/avia-components.
Molecular dynamics study of shear-induced lamellar alignment of ABA triblock copolymer thin films
Authors: Nam Chongyong , Son Jeong Gon , Kim YongJoo , Lee Won Bo
Published: May 2023

In this study, the phase diagram and behaviors of shear induced lamellar alignment of a thin-film ABA triblock copolymer melt was studied via a non-equilibrium coarse-grained molecular dynamics.
Reactive oxygen species-mediated CuRuOX@HA hybrid nanozymes for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections with synergistic photothermal therapy
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Zhang Xinyi , Yang Yonglan , Zhu Xufeng , Chen Xu , Ye Gang , Liu Jie
Published: May 2023

This study prepared a ROS-mediated copper-ruthenium oxide (CuRuOX) hybrid nanozyme (CuRuOX@HA) modified with hyaluronic acid (HA).
Threshold voltage tuning of IGZTO thin-film transistors deposited by RF sputtering for high-resolution flexible displays using deep ultraviolet light
Authors: Park In Pyo , Hwang Bu Kyeong , Lee Bo Ram , Song Pung Keun , Heo Soo Won
Published: May 2023

Development of DUV/Thermal dual treatment (DTT) process to improve the electrical performance and stability of oxide thin film transistors while efficiently controlling the threshold voltage of the device.
Enhanced efficiency and stability of blue perovskite light-emitting diodes through dual defect passivation
Authors: Bi Xiaoying , Yang Xiao , Xu Shuang , Tong Yunfang , Liang Xiaopeng , Nan Yang , Zhu Lin , Wang Nana , Wang Jianpu
Published: May 2023

Enhanced efficiency and stability of blue perovskite light-emitting diodes are achieved through a dual defect passivation strategy.
Functional biology and biotechnology of thermophilic viruses
Authors: Doss Ryan K. , Palmer Marike , Mead David A. , Hedlund Brian P.
Published: May 2023

Viruses have developed sophisticated biochemical and genetic mechanisms to manipulate and exploit their hosts. Enzymes derived from viruses have been essential research tools since the first days of molecular biology. However, most viral enzymes that have been commercialized are derived from a small number of cultivated viruses, which is remarkable considering the extraordinary diversity and abundance of viruses revealed by metagenomic analysis. Given the explosion of new enzymatic reagents derived from thermophilic prokaryotes over the past 40 years, those obtained from thermophilic viruses should be equally potent tools. This review discusses the still-limited state of the art regarding the functional biology and biotechnology of thermophilic viruses with a focus on DNA polymerases, ligases, endolysins, and coat proteins. Functional analysis of DNA polymerases and primase-polymerases from phages infecting Thermus, Aquificaceae, and Nitratiruptor has revealed new clades of enzymes with strong proofreading and reverse transcriptase capabilities. Thermophilic RNA ligase 1 homologs have been characterized from Rhodothermus and Thermus phages, with both commercialized for circularization of single-stranded templates. Endolysins from phages infecting Thermus, Meiothermus, and Geobacillus have shown high stability and unusually broad lytic activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, making them targets for commercialization as antimicrobials. Coat proteins from thermophilic viruses infecting Sulfolobales and Thermus strains have been characterized, with diverse potential applications as molecular shuttles. To gauge the scale of untapped resources for these proteins, we also document over 20,000 genes encoded by uncultivated viral genomes from high-temperature environments that encode DNA polymerase, ligase, endolysin, or coat protein domains.
Stalling for Time: Stall, Revision, and Stuttering-Like Disfluencies Reflect Language Factors in the Speech of Young Children
Authors: Garbarino Julianne , Bernstein Ratner Nan
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

Disfluencies can be classified as stuttering-like disfluencies (SLDs) or typical disfluencies (TDs). Dividing TDs further, stalls (fillers and repetitions) are thought to be prospective, occurring due to planning glitches, and revisions (word and phrase revisions, word fragments) are thought to be retrospective, occurring when a speaker corrects language produced in error. In the first study assessing stalls, revisions, and SLDs in matched groups of children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS), we hypothesized that SLDs and stalls would increase with utterance length and grammaticality but not with a child's expressive language level. We expected revisions to be associated with a child having more advanced language but not with utterance length or grammaticality. We hypothesized that SLDs and stalls (thought to be planning-related) would tend to precede grammatical errors.

Method:

We analyzed 15,782 utterances from 32 preschool-age CWS and 32 matched CWNS to assess these predictions.

Results:

Stalls and revisions increased in ungrammatical and longer utterances and with the child's language level. SLDs increased in ungrammatical and longer utterances, but not with overall language level. SLDs and stalls tended to occur before grammatical errors.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that both stalls and revisions are more likely to occur in utterances that are harder to plan (those that are ungrammatical and/or longer) and that, as children's language develops, so do the skills they need to produce both stalls and revisions. We discuss clinical implications of the finding that ungrammatical utterances are more likely to be stuttered.
On‐chip GaAs‐based dual‐band bandpass filters/isolators (DBPFIs)
Authors: Ashley Andrea , Psychogiou Dimitra
Published: May 2023

MMIC co‐designed RF components exhibiting the collocated RF signal processing actions of a dual‐band bandpass filter and an RF isolator (DBPFI) are presented. They are based on in‐parallel cascaded bandpass filters/isolators that operate at two different frequencies and two multi‐resonant cells that are added in the RF input and RF output to increase the selectivity and the out‐of‐band isolation of the DBPFI through six added transmission zeros. For proof‐of‐concept demonstration purposes, a DBPFI prototype was designed and manufactured using a commercially available GaAs MMIC process. It exhibited the following RF‐measured characteristics: center frequencies: 8.14 GHz and 10.8 GHz, 3‐dB fractional bandwidth (FBW): 11.1% and 16.4%, |S21|: −3.7 dB and −8.8 dB, isolation >36.6 dB and 16.5 dB, IP1dB: 11.8 dBm and 12.8 dBm, IIP3: 18.2 dBm and 16.5 dBm, and OIP3: 14.2 dBm and 6.7 dBm, respectively, at the lower and the upper band.
Optimizing electricity demand scheduling in microgrids using deep reinforcement learning for cost‐efficiency
Authors: Xiong Baoyin , Guo Yiguo , Zhang Liyang , Li Jianbin , Liu Xiufeng , Cheng Long
Published: May 2023

Renewable energy sources (RES) are increasingly being developed and used to address the energy crisis and protect the environment. However, the large‐scale integration of wind and solar energy into the power grid is still challenging and limits the adoption of these new energy sources. Microgrids (MGs) are small‐scale power generation and distribution systems that can effectively integrate renewable energy, electric loads, and energy storage systems (ESS). By using MGs, it is possible to consume renewable energy locally and reduce energy losses from long‐distance transmission. This paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)‐based energy management system (EMS) called DRL‐MG to process and schedule energy purchase requests from customers in real‐time. Specifically, the aim of this paper is to enhance the quality of service (QoS) for customers and reduce their electricity costs by proposing an approach that utilizes a Deep Q‐learning Network (DQN) model. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method outperforms commonly used real‐time scheduling methods significantly.