bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First clinical experience of correcting phantom‐based image distortion related to gantry position on a 0.35T MR‐Linac
Authors: Lewis Benjamin C. , Shin Jaeik , Quinn Benjamin , Barberi Enzo , Sievert Domenic , Kim Jin Sung , Kim Taeho
Published: October 2021

MR‐guided radiotherapy requires strong imaging spatial integrity to deliver high quality plans and provide accurate dose calculation. The MRI system, however, can be compromised by the integrated linear accelerator (Linac), resulting in inaccurate imaging isocenter position and geometric distortion. Dependence on gantry position further complicates the correction of distortions. This work presents a new clinical application of a commercial phantom and software system that quantifies isocenter alignment and geometric distortion, as well as providing a deformation vector field (DVF). A large distortion phantom and a smaller grid phantom were imaged at multiple gantry angles from 0 to 330° on a 0.35 T integrated MR‐Linac. The software package was used to assess geometric distortion and generate DVFs to correct distortions within the phantom volume. The DVFs were applied to the grid phantom with resampling software then evaluated using structural similarity index measure (SSIM). Scans were also performed with a ferromagnetic clip near the phantom to investigate the correction of more severe artifacts. The mean magnitude isocenter shift was 0.67 mm, ranging from 0.25 to 1.04 mm across all angles. The DVF had a mean component value of 0.27 ± 0.02, 0.24 ± 0.01, and 0.19 ± 0.01 mm in the right‐left (RL), anterior‐posterior (AP), and superior‐inferior (SI) directions. The ferromagnetic clip increased isocenter position error from 1.98 mm to 2.20 mm and increased mean DVF component values in the RL and AP directions. The resampled grid phantom had an increased SSIM for all gantry angles compared to original images, increasing from 0.26 ± 0.001 to 0.70 ± 0.004. Through this clinical assessment, we were able to correct geometric distortion and isocenter shift related to gantry position on a 0.35 T MR‐Linac using the distortion phantom and software package. This provides encouragement that it could be used for quality assurance and clinically to correct systematic distortion caused by imaging at different gantry angles.
Exploring diazoxide and continuous glucose monitoring as treatment for Glut1 deficiency syndrome
Authors: Logel Santhi N. , Connor Ellen L. , Hsu David A. , Fenske Rachel J. , Paloian Neil J. , De Vivo Darryl C.
Published: October 2021

Glut1 deficiency syndrome is caused by SLC2A1 mutations on chromosome 1p34.2 that impairs glucose transport across the blood–brain barrier resulting in hypoglycorrhachia and decreased fuel for brain metabolism. Neuroglycopenia causes a drug‐resistant metabolic epilepsy due to energy deficiency. Standard treatment for Glut1 deficiency syndrome is the ketogenic diet that decreases the demand for brain glucose by supplying ketones as alternative fuel. Treatment options are limited if patients fail the ketogenic diet. We present a case of successful diazoxide use with continuous glucose monitoring in a patient with Glut1 deficiency syndrome who did not respond to the ketogenic diet.
Intrinsic Nature of Negative Capacitance in Multidomain Hf0.5Zr0.5O2‐Based Ferroelectric/Dielectric Heterostructures
Authors: Hoffmann Michael , Gui Mengcheng , Slesazeck Stefan , Fontanini Riccardo , Segatto Mattia , Esseni David , Mikolajick Thomas
Published: October 2021

Harnessing ferroelectric negative capacitance in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2‐based thin films is promising for applications in nanoscale electronic devices with ultralow power dissipation, due to their ultimate scalability and semiconductor process compatibility. However, so far, it has been unclear if negative capacitance is an intrinsic material property of ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2, or if it is an extrinsic effect caused by specific domain configurations and lateral domain wall motion as seen in perovskite ferroelectrics. Here, symmetric and asymmetric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/Al2O3‐based ferroelectric/dielectric heterostructures are investigated to understand the relationship among depolarization, interfacial charge, domain formation, and negative capacitance. To achieve this, detailed electrical characterization is combined with structural data, analytical modeling, and numerical simulations. The findings suggest that negative capacitance in these ferroelectric/dielectric heterostructures is an intrinsic property of the Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 layer, which has important implications for potential applications. Furthermore, it is experimentally observed that the energy barrier for polarization switching in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 is largely independent of the domain configuration and layer thickness, which confirms recent predictions by first principles calculations.
Solvent‐Cast‐Assisted Printing of Biomimetic Morphing Hydrogel Structures with Solvent Evaporation‐Induced Swelling Mismatch
Authors: Guo Gang , Wu Qian , Liu Fengrui , Yin Jun , Wu Zi Liang , Zheng Qiang , Qian Jin
Published: October 2021

A facile approach is reported for manufacturing morphing hydrogel structures based on solvent‐cast‐assisted printing. Poly(stearyl acrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) (P(SA‐co‐AAc)) ethanol solution is printed into fibers in air, where evaporation of the solvent led to sol–gel transition of the “ink”. The printability of ink can be effectively regulated by polymer concentration (Cp) and nozzle diameter. After swelling the printed structures into water, the alkyl chains of SA units are segregated into hydrophobic domains, crosslinking the tough hydrogels. The swelling ratio and mechanical properties of printed gel varied with evaporation time before being swollen in water. Smooth hydrogel fibers with a diameter of ≈200 µm and good mechanical properties can be obtained by evaporating 70–80 wt% of the solvent in 1 h. The upper layer of printed fibers, undergoing less evaporation period, exhibits higher swelling ratio yet reduced modulus than the bottom one. Using this swelling mismatch, diverse morphing hydrogel constructs are achieved by controlling the printed patterns. After swelling, these hydrogel constructs show controllable deformations with bioinspired morphologies. This facile strategy could be applicable for the printing of other tough physical hydrogels that are soluble in low boiling‐point solvents, with controllable architectures and morphing capacity under external stimuli.
Optimized Photoclick (Bio)Resins for Fast Volumetric Bioprinting
Authors: Rizzo Riccardo , Ruetsche Dominic , Liu Hao , Zenobi‐Wong Marcy
Published: October 2021

Volumetric printing (VP) is a light‐mediated technique enabling printing of complex, low‐defect 3D objects within seconds, overcoming major drawbacks of layer‐by‐layer additive manufacturing. An optimized photoresin is presented for VP in the presence of cells (volumetric bioprinting) based on fast thiol–ene step‐growth photoclick crosslinking. Gelatin‐norbornene (Gel‐NB) photoresin shows superior performance, both in physicochemical and biocompatibility aspects, compared to (meth‐)acryloyl resins. The extremely efficient thiol–norbornene reaction produces the fastest VP reported to date (≈10 s), with significantly lower polymer content, degree of substitution (DS), and radical species, making it more suitable for cell encapsulation. This approach enables the generation of cellular free‐form constructs with excellent cell viability (≈100%) and tissue maturation potential, demonstrated by development of contractile myotubes. Varying the DS, polymer content, thiol–ene ratio, and thiolated crosslinker allows fine‐tuning of mechanical properties over a broad stiffness range (≈40 Pa to ≈15 kPa). These properties are achieved through fast and scalable methods for producing Gel‐NB with inexpensive, off‐the‐shelf reagents that can help establish it as the gold standard for light‐mediated biofabrication techniques. With potential applications from high‐throughput bioprinting of tissue models to soft robotics and regenerative medicine, this work paves the way for exploitation of VPs unprecedented capabilities.
Advances in Catalytic Applications of Zeolite‐Supported Metal Catalysts
Authors: Sun Qiming , Wang Ning , Yu Jihong
Published: October 2021

Zeolites possessing large specific surface areas, ordered micropores, and adjustable acidity/basicity have emerged as ideal supports to immobilize metal species with small sizes and high dispersities. In recent years, the zeolite‐supported metal catalysts have been widely used in diverse catalytic processes, showing excellent activity, superior thermal/hydrothermal stability, and unique shape‐selectivity. In this review, a comprehensive summary of the state‐of‐the‐art achievements in catalytic applications of zeolite‐supported metal catalysts are presented for important heterogeneous catalytic processes in the last five years, mainly including 1) the hydrogenation reactions (e.g., CO/CO2 hydrogenation, hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds, and hydrogenation of nitrogenous compounds); 2) dehydrogenation reactions (e.g., alkane dehydrogenation and dehydrogenation of chemical hydrogen storage materials); 3) oxidation reactions (e.g., CO oxidation, methane oxidation, and alkene epoxidation); and 4) other reactions (e.g., hydroisomerization reaction and selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia reaction). Finally, some current limitations and future perspectives on the challenge and opportunity for this subject are pointed out. It is believed that this review will inspire more innovative research on the synthesis and catalysis of zeolite‐supported metal catalysts and promote their future developments to meet the emerging demands for practical applications.
Asymmetric Elimination Reaction on Chiral Metal Surfaces
Authors: Stolz Samuel , Danese Martina , Di Giovannantonio Marco , Urgel José I. , Sun Qiang , Kinikar Amogh , Bommert Max , Mishra Shantanu , Brune Harald , Gröning Oliver , Passerone Daniele , Widmer Roland
Published: October 2021

The production of enantiopure materials and molecules is of uttermost relevance in research and industry in numerous contexts, ranging from nonlinear optics to asymmetric synthesis. In the context of the latter, dehalogenation, which is an essential reaction step for a broad class of chemical reactions, is investigated; specifically, dehalogenation of prochiral 5‐bromo‐7‐methylbenz(a)anthracene (BMA) on prototypical, chiral, intermetallic PdGa{111} surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Asymmetric halogen elimination is demonstrated by combining temperature‐programmed X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and density functional theory. On the PdGa{111} surfaces, the difference in debromination temperatures for the two BMA surface enantiomers amounts up to an unprecedented 46 K. The significant dependence of the dehalogenation temperature of the BMA surface enantiomers on the atomic termination of the PdGa{111} surfaces implies that the ensemble effect is pronounced in this reaction step. These findings evidence enantiospecific control and hence promote intrinsically chiral crystals for asymmetric on‐surface synthesis.
Investigation of the Effect of 3D Meniscus Geometry on Fluid Dynamics and Crystallization via In Situ Optical Microscopy‐Assisted Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Lee Jeong‐Chan , Seo Hyeji , Lee Minho , Kim Dongjae , Lee Hyeon Seok , Park Hyunmin , Ball Nathaniel , Woo Junhee , Kim Su Yeong , Nam Jaewook , Park Steve
Published: October 2021

Solution‐based thin‐film solidification is a complex process involving various transport phenomena that are intricately dependent on multiple experimental parameters. The difficulty of analyzing this process experimentally or conducting exact numerical simulation make it challenging to understand, predict, and control the solidification process. In this work, a simple and effective technique to analyze the thin‐film solidification process during solution shearing, based on 3D geometrical model of the meniscus, is proposed. The 3D meniscus geometry, which changes depending on the experimental parameters, is attained using high‐speed side‐view and top‐view in situ microscopy. Thereafter, mass and momentum transport mathematical models are applied to obtain numerical solutions of transport phenomena within the meniscus. Utilizing these results, the underlying mechanism of dendritic growth of small molecule organic semiconductor is elucidated, which has previously been unknown. The 3D meniscus modeling is particularly important for this analysis, as dendrite formation is strongly dependent on the meniscus geometry near the contact line and mass transport variation perpendicular to the coating direction. This technique enables the study of complex relationship between experimental parameters and solidification process, which is widely applicable to various materials and coating systems; whereby, better understanding of thin‐film growth and device performance optimization is possible.
Dense Silicon Nanowire Networks Grown on a Stainless‐Steel Fiber Cloth: A Flexible and Robust Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Imtiaz Sumair , Amiinu Ibrahim Saana , Storan Dylan , Kapuria Nilotpal , Geaney Hugh , Kennedy Tadhg , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: October 2021

Silicon nanowires (Si NWs) are a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high specific capacity. Achieving adequate mass loadings for binder‐free Si NWs is restricted by low surface area, mechanically unstable and poorly conductive current collectors (CCs), as well as complicated/expensive fabrication routes. Herein, a tunable mass loading and dense Si NW growth on a conductive, flexible, fire‐resistant, and mechanically robust interwoven stainless‐steel fiber cloth (SSFC) using a simple glassware setup is reported. The SSFC CC facilitates dense growth of Si NWs where its open structure allows a buffer space for expansion/contraction during Li‐cycling. The Si NWs@SSFC anode displays a stable performance for 500 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency of >99.5%. Galvanostatic cycling of the Si NWs@SSFC anode with a mass loading of 1.32 mg cm−2 achieves a stable areal capacity of ≈2 mAh cm−2 at 0.2 C after 200 cycles. Si NWs@SSFC anodes with different mass loadings are characterized before and after cycling by scanning and transmission electron microscopy to examine the effects of Li‐cycling on the morphology. Notably, this approach allows the large‐scale fabrication of robust and flexible binder‐free Si NWs@SSFC architectures, making it viable for practical applications in high energy density LIBs.
Simultaneously Blocking Chemical Crosstalk and Internal Short Circuit via Gel‐Stretching Derived Nanoporous Non‐Shrinkage Separator for Safe Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Song Youzhi , Liu Xiang , Ren Dongsheng , Liang Hongmei , Wang Li , Hu Qiao , Cui Hao , Xu Hong , Wang Jianlong , Zhao Chen , Zuo Xiaobing , Xu Gui‐Liang , Amine Khalil , He Xiangming
Published: October 2021

The separator, an ionic permeable and electronic insulating membrane between cathode and anode, plays a crucial role in the electrochemical and safety performance of batteries. However, commercial polyolefin separators not only suffer from inevitable thermal shrinkage at elevated temperature, but also fail to inhibit the hidden chemical crosstalk of reactive gases such as O2, leading to often reported thermal runaway (TR) and hence preventing large‐scale implementation of high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries. Herein, a nanoporous non‐shrinkage separator (GS‐PI) is fabricated via a novel gel‐stretching orientation approach to eliminate TR. In situ synchrotron small angle X‐ray scattering during heating clearly shows that the as‐prepared thin GS‐PI separator exhibits superior mechanical tolerance at high temperature, thus effectively preventing internal short circuit. Meanwhile, the unique nanoporous structure design further blocks chemical crosstalk and the associated exothermic reactions. Accelerating rate calorimetry tests reveal that the practical 1 Ah LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622)/graphite pouch cell using GS‐PI nanoporous separator show a maximum temperature rise (dT/dtmax) of only 3.7 °C s−1 compared to 131.6 °C s−1 in the case of Al2O3@PE macroporous separator. Moreover, despite the reduced pore size, the GS‐PI separator demonstrates better cycling stability than conventional Al2O3@PE separator at high temperature without sacrificing specific capacity and rate capability.
Flexible Dual‐Parameter Sensor Array without Coupling Based on Amorphous Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Xue Xianyang , Zhao Tingting , Tian Xueming , Yuan Li , Wang Zhigan , Li Tongkuai , Zhang Jianhua
Published: October 2021

The skin‐like temperature–pressure sensing capabilities are fundamental features for the next‐generation artificial intelligence applications, such as human–machine interactions and soft robotics. The previous studies on sensing devices have focused on single‐point pressure or temperature sensing, whereas detecting the distributions of pressure and temperature simultaneously still remain challenging. In this article, a flexible dual‐parameter sensor array based on amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) is proposed. In the proposed array, the decoupling of pressure and temperature perceptions is realized by optimizing the combination of MXene and carbon nanotubes in the form of hybrid films based on a difference in the temperature coefficient. The amplification of the sensing signal and scale sensor array is achieved by using the a‐IGZO TFT‐based cross‐active matrix addressing design. After being amplified by TFTs, the pressure and temperature sensors exhibit satisfactory sensitivity. Further, a 7 × 4 pressure array and a 6 × 4 temperature array are alternately integrated on a 5 cm × 5 cm area, thus achieving spatial distribution mapping of the pressure and temperature signals simultaneously without interference. The proposed design has a potential application in the field of multifunctional electronic skin.
Side by Side Alignment of Donors Enabling High‐Efficiency TADF OLEDs with Insensitivity to Doping Concentration
Authors: Liu Zhiwen , Li Ganggang , Liu He , Zhou Changjiang , Li Kai , Wang Zhiming , Yang Chuluo
Published: October 2021

Doping sensitivity is a great obstacle in boosting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)‐based organic light‐emitting diodes into practical application. Herein, a “side by side” donor alignment strategy is proposed to achieve decent electroluminescence performance under high doping concentration by studying the structure–property relationship of two emitters D2T‐TRZ and D2Y‐TRZ. D2T‐TRZ containing parallel aligned donors shows high photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) and short delayed lifetime (τd) in both doped and neat films, which endow its excellent performances with maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEmaxs) higher than 22% under wide doping range of 10–70 wt%. While, composed of antiparallel acridans, D2Y‐TRZ presents good PLQY and relatively long τd when diluted in host matrix, but undergoes severe quenching in neat films. Consequently, D2Y‐TRZ achieves lower EQEmaxs of 14.9–16.4% within narrow range of 10–40 wt%. This result reveals parallel aligned donors as a better choice to design TADF emitters inert to doping concentration.
Active Control of Terahertz Toroidal Excitations in a Hybrid Metasurface with an Electrically Biased Silicon Layer
Authors: Yang Ruisheng , Lou Jing , Zhang Fuli , Zhu Wei , Xu Jing , Cai Tong , Fu Quanhong , Li Hongqiang , Fan Yuancheng
Published: October 2021

The active control of artificially structured metasurfaces is a promising route for solving the operation bandwidth limitation of metasurfaces due to their resonant nature. Herein, the active tunability of the toroidal response in a terahertz hybrid metasurface is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The top metallic layer of the metasurface has a toroidal configuration and is coupled to an electrically biased phase‐change silicon layer, whose conductive thickness and conductivity can be changed significantly when applying increased external current. The electrically biased hybrid metasurface shows high efficiency and complete electrical switching on the toroidal response in a broadband manner. Also, the optoelectronic metasurfaces modulated by biased currents are much easier to integrate in on‐chip optical devices. The hybrid metasurface taking advantage of the silicon layer with insulating‐state to conductive‐state transition in optical conductivity may facilitate the development of high‐performance active photonic applications in, for example, smart sensing in the terahertz regime.
Detailed Analysis of Peripheral Reflection from a Photonic Ball
Authors: Ohnuki Ryosuke , Sakai Miki , Takeoka Yukikazu , Yoshioka Shinya
Published: October 2021

Colloidal crystals with spherical shapes are called photonic balls, and their optical properties have been extensively studied because they can be applied as structurally colored pigments or colorimetric sensors. When a colloidal crystal consists of small colloidal particles, e.g., 250 nm in diameter, the (111) crystal planes of the face‐centered cubic lattice cause Bragg reflection, resulting in a brilliant structural color. However, in colloidal crystals that consist of larger particles, e.g., 400 nm in diameter, different crystal planes may be involved in the coloration; the (220) planes cause ring‐like iridescent reflection in the peripheral part of the spherical crystal. Herein, a detailed optical analysis of this peripheral reflection is presented. The photonic ball consists of many small crystal domains, and the reflecting crystal planes are oriented in different directions from one domain to another. Thus, in some domains, significantly tilted planes and refraction at the spherical surface cause reflection in a highly oblique direction, such that the reflection path requires a 3D description. This study shows that such an oblique reflection significantly affects the appearance of the photonic ball.
Mechanically Tunable Terahertz Metamaterial Perfect Absorber
Authors: Piper Lewis K. , Singh H. Johnson , Woods Jonathan R. C. , Sun Kai , Muskens Otto L. , Apostolopoulos Vasilis
Published: October 2021

The development of a wide range of technologies based on terahertz (THz) electromagnetic radiation drives a strong demand for flexible optical elements. Metasurfaces based on metallic resonators offer a versatile toolkit that permits easy tuning over a wide spectral range by the geometric design. Herein, a mechanically tuned metasurface perfect absorber comprised of split‐ring resonators in combination with a metallic mirror in a microcavity arrangement, is demonstrated. By mechanically tuning the length of the microcavity in the range of 10 μm and above, precise control over the perfect absorption condition is exhibited. A maximum recorded extinction of 45.8 dB is obtained at the perfect absorption condition, corresponding to a suppression of the reflected radiation by almost five orders of magnitude. Experiments are performed in a reflection arrangement using a terahertz time‐domain spectrometer. Simulations of the experimental arrangement show that near‐field effects are weak and the enhancement of metamaterial perfect absorption is in agreement with purely interferometric effects.
Wavelength‐Dependent Anisotropic Optical Properties in Layered GaTe for Polarization‐Sensitive Applications
Authors: Kotha Mounika , Kaloyeros Alex , Murray Thomas , Gallis Spyros
Published: October 2021

Anisotropic layered GaTe has emerged as a potential material for polarization‐sensitive applications. The optical anisotropy in monoclinic GaTe is triggered by its in‐plane structural anisotropy, as each layer comprises periodic chain‐like structures along its b‐axis crystal direction. However, there is ambiguity in identifying the b‐axis in GaTe in existing reports. Proper identification is vital toward the fabrication of polarization‐sensitive photodetectors and light sources. Herein, this ambiguity is addressed and a systematic structural and polarization‐resolved optical study to identify the b‐axis in GaTe is reported for a multitude of different sample thicknesses and laser excitation wavelengths. The diffraction and Kikuchi line pattern results demonstrate the relevance of the structural anisotropy on the observed anisotropic photoluminescence (PL) in GaTe. The near‐infrared PL from GaTe (≈1.66 eV) exhibits a minimum (maximum) intensity when the laser excitation is polarized parallel (perpendicular) to the b‐axis. The PL peak position behavior as a function of increasing sample temperature (77–298 K) and laser power density is characteristic of radiative recombination of free/bound excitons. Furthermore, a broadband visible excitation window is identified for which GaTe exhibits PL anisotropy. These results highlight the potential of layered GaTe in polarization‐ and wavelength‐sensitive applications.
Ion‐Conducting Hydrogels and Their Applications in Bioelectronics
Authors: Dechiraju Harika , Jia Manping , Luo Le , Rolandi Marco
Published: October 2021

Bioelectronics focuses on the interface between biological systems and electronics. Most biological systems are soft and wet, while electronics are typically hard and dry. Information in the form of charge is carried by electrons and holes in electronics, while ions and charged molecules are the charge carriers in biological systems. As such, finding the right material for the bioelectronic interface is challenging. Hydrogels are water swollen porous polymer networks and, similarly to biological systems, hydrogels are wet, soft, and ion conducting. These properties make hydrogels an ideal choice for the bioelectronic interface between electronics and biological systems. This review focuses on polyelectrolyte hydrogels, a class of hydrogels that has fixed charges as part of the polymer network. In order to maintain charge neutrality, these charges attract mobile ions of the opposite charge in the water swollen pores. These mobile ions give the hydrogels selective ionic conductivity. Here, it is discussed brief fundamentals of hydrogels, ionic conduction mechanism and optimization of the conductivity, and applications in bioelectronic sensors and mechanical actuators.
Facile Atomic‐Level Tuning of Reactive Metal–Support Interactions in the Pt QDs@ HF‐Free MXene Heterostructure for Accelerating pH‐Universal Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Pang Sin‐Yi , Io Weng‐Fu , Hao Jianhua
Published: October 2021

Supported metallic nanoparticles render highly tunable physical and chemical properties to mixed‐dimensionality materials in electrocatalysts. However, some supports are susceptible to being dissolved in acidic solution or are unstable in ambient air. The development of high‐performance catalysts has been facing the major hurdles of the sluggish activity in alkaline solution and requesting high energy to stabilize the nanoparticles on their supports, challenging the pH‐universality and the applicability of the supported metallic nanoparticles. Here, a one‐step strategy is proposed to modulate the growth of Pt quantum dots (QDs) on HF‐free MXene under atomic‐level by a low‐temperature metal–support interaction reaction. By controllable tailoring in the morphology and strain induced by terminations, Pt (111) QDs with a sub‐nanoscale size of 1.15 nm are grown as 0D/1D heterostructure to overcome the restrictions of employing reduction gas and high annealing temperature. The catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 33.3 mV for acidic solution, while 65.1 mV for alkaline solution at a specific current density of 10 mA cm−2. This study not only paves a scalable pathway to developing cost‐efficient catalysts in moderate conditions, but also demonstrates an effective surface modulation strategy for 0D/1D heterostructures.
Intercropping red clover with intermediate wheatgrass suppresses weeds without reducing grain yield
Authors: Law Eugene P. , Wayman Sandra , Pelzer Christopher J. , DiTommaso Antonio , Ryan Matthew R.
Published: October 2021

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & Dewey] is the first commercially produced perennial grain crop in the United States. Intercropping legumes with IWG has the potential to enhance dual‐purpose grain and forage production and contribute to weed control in organic management systems. We compared IWG with annual winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in monoculture and intercropped with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in a 3‐yr experiment in central New York. Grain yield of IWG was lower than wheat in all years, partly due to lower tiller fertility and seed size in IWG. Compared with grain yield of 1,212 kg ha–1 in the first year, IWG grain yield was 83% (202 kg ha–1) and 64% lower (441 kg ha–1) in the second and third years, respectively. Intermediate wheatgrass straw production increased 40% from 5,541 to 7,785 kg ha–1 over 3 yr while wheat straw yield declined from 5,167 to 3,533 kg ha–1. Red clover did not affect grain or straw yield of either crop but reduced weed biomass and weed species richness. Weed communities in IWG plots were dominated by perennial grasses by the second year of production, whereas annual weeds were dominant in wheat throughout the experiment. Preventing establishment of perennial weeds that will persist in perennial grain cropping systems should be a management priority. High forage production observed when comparing IWG and wheat suggest opportunities for including IWG in integrated crop–livestock systems where IWG's higher forage yield and quality has higher utility.
Gd‐Ni‐Sb‐SnO2 electrocatalysts for active and selective ozone production
Authors: Lansing James L. , Zhao Lingyan , Siboonruang Tana , Attanayake Nuwan H. , Leo Angela B. , Fatouros Peter , Park So Min , Graham Kenneth R. , Keith John A. , Tang Maureen
Published: October 2021

Direct electrochemical production of dissolved ozone could potentially provide economic wastewater treatment and sanitation or a valuable chemical oxidant. Although Ni‐Sb‐SnO2 electrocatalysts have the highest known faradaic efficiencies for electrochemical ozone production, the activity and selectivity are not yet sufficient for commercial implementation. This work finds that co‐doping Ni and Gd increases the ozone selectivity by a factor of three over Ni alone. These findings are the first demonstration of an active dopant other than Ni in SnO2. Electrochemical and physical characterization show that trends in ozone activity are caused by chemical catalysis, not morphology effects, and that conduction band alignment is not a catalytic descriptor for the system. Selective radical quenching experiments and quantum chemistry calculations of thermodynamic energies suggest that the kinetic barriers to form solution‐phase intermediates are important for understanding the role of dopants in electrochemical ozone production.
Artificial Working Memory Constructed by Planar 2D Channel Memristors Enabling Brain‐Inspired Hierarchical Memory Systems
Authors: Ji Xinglong , Hao Song , Lim Kian Guan , Zhong Shuai , Zhao Rong
Published: October 2021

In human hierarchical memory structures, working memory functions as a temporal interface to integrate multimodal information from sensory memory and long‐term memory, underpinning cognition development. Therefore, an artificial working memory is highly anticipated to endow computing systems with advanced capabilities. Herein, an artificial working memory that can synthesize and process multimodal information to enable a brain‐inspired hierarchical memory system is developed. To emulate the characteristic synaptic behavior of working memory, a planar 2D channel memristor (PTCM) with stable short‐term frequency‐dependent plasticity is designed. An array of PTCMs on a monolayer MoS2 grain are assembled and the information encoding, forgetting, retrieval, and updating functions of working memory are experimentally demonstrated. A hierarchical memory system through simulation, which integrates working memory network, sensory memory, and long‐term memory, is built, emulating the information synthesizing and processing procedures of the human brain. The proposed system provides a promising way to enhance the cognitive capability of intelligence machines.
Short‐ and long‐term consequences of genome doubling: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Clo Josselin , Kolář Filip
Published: October 2021

Premise

Whole‐genome duplication (WGD) is ubiquitous in plants. Recent reviews and meta‐analyses, aiming to understand how such phenotypic transition could facilitate neopolyploid establishment, demonstrated multifarious immediate effects of WGD on fitness and reproductive traits. Yet, little is known about how short‐term modifications evolve through time. Such a comparison among new and established polyploid lineages is crucial to understand which effects of WGD promote or impede polyploid survival.

Methods

We performed a meta‐analysis to determine how WGD affects morphological, cellular, and fitness traits in autotetraploid individuals compared to their diploid progenitors. We studied how established tetraploids differed from diploids compared to neotetraploids, to further learn about the fate of WGD‐associated phenotypic effects during polyploid establishment.

Results

The short‐term effects of WGD were an increase in size of morphological traits and cells, accompanied by a decrease in fitness and the number of cells. After establishment, the morphological effect persisted, but cellular and fitness components reverted back to the values observed in the diploid ancestors.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the larger morphology of autotetraploids is not a constraint to establishment. However, other observable effects of genome doubling disappeared with time, suggesting that solving cellular and fitness constraints are critical aspects for polyploid establishment.
A novel homozygous synonymous variant further expands the phenotypic spectrum of POLR3A‐related pathologies
Authors: Lessel Davor , Rading Katrin , Campbell Susan E. , Thiele Holger , Altmüller Janine , Gordon Leslie B. , Kubisch Christian
Published: October 2021

Pathogenic biallelic variants in POL3RA have been associated with different disorders characterized by progressive neurological deterioration. These include the 4H leukodystrophy syndrome (hypomyelination, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and hypodontia) and adolescent‐onset progressive spastic ataxia, as well as Wiedemann–Rautenstrauch syndrome (WRS), a recognizable neonatal progeroid syndrome. The phenotypic differences between these disorders are thought to occur mainly due to different functional effects of underlying POLR3A variants. Here we present the detailed clinical course of a 37‐year‐old woman in whom we identified a homozygous synonymous POLR3A variant c.3336G>A resulting in leaky splicing r.[3336ins192, =, 3243_3336del94]. She presented at birth with intrauterine growth retardation, lipodystrophy, muscular hypotonia, and several WRS‐like facial features, albeit without sparse hair and prominent scalp veins. She had no signs of developmental delay or intellectual disability. Over the years, above characteristic facial features, she showed severe postnatal growth retardation, global lipodystrophy, joint contractures, thoracic hypoplasia, scoliosis, anodontia, spastic quadriplegia, bilateral hearing loss, aphonia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and cerebellar peduncles hyperintensities in brain imaging. These manifestations partially overlap the clinical features of the previously reported POLR3A‐associated disorders, mostly mimicking the WRS. Thus, our study expands the POLR3A‐mediated phenotypic spectrum and suggests existence of a phenotypic continuum underlying biallelic POLR3A variants.
End‐Truncated LAMB1 Causes a Hippocampal Memory Defect and a Leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Aloui Chaker , Hervé Dominique , Marenne Gaelle , Savenier Florian , Le Guennec Kilan , Bergametti Francoise , Verdura Edgard , Ludwig Thomas E. , Lebenberg Jessica , Jabeur Waliyde , Morel Hélène , Coste Thibault , Demarquay Geneviève , Bachoumas Panagiotis , Cogez Julien , Mathey Guillaume , Bernard Emilien ,   FREX consortium, Chabriat Hugues , Génin Emmanuelle , Tournier‐Lasserve Elisabeth
Published: October 2021

Objective

The majority of patients with a familial cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) referred for molecular screening do not show pathogenic variants in known genes. In this study, we aimed to identify novel CSVD causal genes.

Methods

We performed a gene‐based collapsing test of rare protein‐truncating variants identified in exome data of 258 unrelated CSVD patients of an ethnically matched control cohort and of 2 publicly available large‐scale databases, gnomAD and TOPMed. Western blotting was used to investigate the functional consequences of variants. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of mutated patients were characterized.

Results

We showed that LAMB1 truncating variants escaping nonsense‐mediated messenger RNA decay are strongly overrepresented in CSVD patients, reaching genome‐wide significance (p < 5 × 10−8). Using 2 antibodies recognizing the N‐ and C‐terminal parts of LAMB1, we showed that truncated forms of LAMB1 are expressed in the endogenous fibroblasts of patients and trapped in the cytosol. These variants are associated with a novel phenotype characterized by the association of a hippocampal type episodic memory defect and a diffuse vascular leukoencephalopathy.

Interpretation

These findings are important for diagnosis and clinical care, to avoid unnecessary and sometimes invasive investigations, and also from a mechanistic point of view to understand the role of extracellular matrix proteins in neuronal homeostasis. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:962–975
Supercollimation of Light Beams by Axisymmetric Aperiodic Photonic Structures
Authors: Gailevičius Darius , Aleksandravičius Edvinas , Purlys Vytautas , Staliūnas Kęstutis
Published: October 2021

Efficient beam supercollimation is proposed and shown experimentally by axisymmetric aperiodic photonic structures. The structure consists of equidistant layers of concentric refraction index rings, with the transverse period of the rings varying from layer to layer along the structure. Numerically designed and optimized axisymmetric photonic structures are inscribed in silica glass by femtosecond pulses. Strong enhancement (more than by one order of magnitude) of the axial beam component is demonstrated, resulting in the record performance of the beam supercollimation.
Chemische Synthese und Semisynthese von lipidierten Proteinen
Authors: Hanna Cameron C. , Kriegesmann Julia , Dowman Luke J. , Becker Christian F. W. , Payne Richard J.
Published: October 2021

Lipidierung ist eine ubiquitäre Modifikation von Peptiden und Proteinen, die entweder co‐ oder posttranslational auftreten kann. Für die Vielzahl von Lipidklassen wurde gezeigt, dass diese viele entscheidende biologische Aktivitäten, z. B. die Regulierung der Signalweiterleitung, Zell‐Zell‐Adhäsion sowie die Anlagerung von Proteinen an Lipid‐Rafts und Phospholipidmembranen, beeinflussen. Während die Natur Enzyme nutzt, um Lipidmodifikationen in Proteine einzubringen, ist ihre Nutzung für die chemoenzymatische Herstellung von lipidierten Proteinen häufig ineffizient. Eine Alternative ist die Kombination moderner synthetischer und semisynthetischer Techniken, um lipidierte Proteine in reiner und homogen modifizierter Form zu erhalten. Dieser Aufsatz erörtert Fortschritte in der Entwicklung der Lipidierungs‐ und Ligationschemie und deren Anwendung in der Synthese und Semisynthese homogen lipidierter Proteine, die es ermöglichen, den Einfluss dieser Modifikationen auf die Proteinstruktur und ‐funktion zu untersuchen.
Rapid upper airway obstruction after arteriovenous malformation rupture in a patient with neurofibromatosis
Authors: Davidson A. , Beddoes P. , Patel J. , Hunningher A.
Published: October 2021

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is rarely associated with arteriovenous malformation rupture. We present a case of a rapidly compromised upper airway due to extrinsic compression as a consequence of the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation fed by the inferior thyroid artery which required emergency cricothyroidotomy following failed attempts at orotracheal intubation. While the patient had a good overall outcome, our reflection on the management of this case highlights several important learning points. These include the importance of clear communication between different medical specialties to promote shared situation awareness, the importance of training anaesthetists in the limitations of standard difficult airway management algorithms, and the implications of the skillset mix of doctors responding to airway emergencies in district general hospitals.
Compatibilization of polyvinyl chloride ‐ polymethyl methacrylate polymer blends with maleic anhydride‐styrene‐methyl methacrylate terpolymer
Authors: Yilmaz Ersen
Published: October 2021

In this study, nonmiscible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymers were made miscible by using MA‐St‐MMA terpolymer as a compatibilizer. Maleic anhydride‐styrene‐methyl methacrylate (MA‐St‐MMA) terpolymer was synthesized in our laboratory and used. The synthesized terpolymer was determined by FT‐IR spectroscopy. Equal mass PVC/PMMA mixture samples were prepared in series and the compatibilizer terpolymer varying between 2% and 10% by mass was added to the samples and the effect of the added terpolymer on the miscibility was determined viscometrically, thermally, mechanically and, visually. With the addition of the compatibilizer, the two components in the mixture behave like a single polymer with a single glass transition temperature (Tg) and the mixture became compatible. As a result of viscometric experiments, it has been determined that with the added MA‐St‐MMA terpolymer, the Δb value derivated from the Krigbaum‐Wall equation which is the miscibility parameter of a mixture shifted into the positive (+) zone indicating that the two polymers became miscible. By visual analysis, it was observed that the added terpolymer reduced the opaque appearance and the phase separations of the mixture. From the tensile test, a significant improvement in impact toughness was observed. When all the data obtained were evaluated, it was determined that the synthesized MA‐St‐MMA terpolymer was a suitable compatibilizer for the mixture of PVC and PMMA.
Effective number of breeders and reconstructed sibships reveal low reproductive output by a reintroduced population of endangered fish
Authors: Diver Tracy A. , Mussmann Steven M. , Durst Scott L. , Franssen Nathan R.
Published: October 2021

Fishes with periodic life histories are long‐lived, slow to mature, and have intermittent periods of successful recruitment, limiting the ability of managers to recover their populations rapidly.

Endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) in the Colorado River Basin, USA, is a periodic strategist whose persistence is largely dependent on hatchery augmentation. Stocking efforts have increased population sizes in the basin; however, natural recruitment remains extremely limited.

Annual reproductive output of a reintroduced population of razorback sucker was evaluated over a 10‐year period in a Colorado River tributary by estimating the effective number of breeders (Nb) and numbers of repeat spawning adults through genetic analysis of wild‐spawned larval cohorts. Comparative estimates were also obtained for a self‐sustaining sympatric periodic strategist, flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis).

Given known trade‐offs between delayed maturation and long lifespan, population size and age‐structure of razorback sucker was quantified to assess potential demographic constraints to reproductive output.

The results showed consistently low annual Nb estimates for razorback sucker (
= 127), compared with flannelmouth sucker (
= 3,022) and within the same period (2013–2018) an order of magnitude more repeat spawning individual razorback sucker (n = 41) were detected compared with flannelmouth sucker (n = 4). Given the relatively young age structure of the razorback sucker population (median = age 4), the results indicate that successful recruitment may be limited by the number of spawning adults.

These results highlight the importance of understanding how life history characteristics may affect the rate and success of reintroductions and where life‐stage specific bottlenecks to reproduction and recruitment may occur. Given the increasing necessity of stocking for most reintroductions, management of periodic strategists may need to aim at increasing the relative age‐structure of adults to bolster reproductive output in addition to increasing juvenile survival.
VEXAS Syndrome: A Case Series From a Single‐Center Cohort of Italian Patients With Vasculitis
Authors: Muratore Francesco , Marvisi Chiara , Castrignanò Paola , Nicoli Davide , Farnetti Enrico , Bonanno Orsola , Longo Rosina , Zaldini Piera , Galli Elena , Balanda Nicholas , Beck David B. , Grayson Peter C. , Pipitone Nicolò , Boiardi Luigi , Salvarani Carlo
Published: October 2021

Objective

To identify patients with VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome) from a single‐center cohort of Italian patients with vasculitis, using a clinically oriented phenotype‐first approach.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 147 consecutive male patients followed up in our vasculitis clinic from 2013 to date. All patients with a diagnosis of vasculitis and treatment‐resistant manifestations of inflammation, persistently elevated inflammation markers, and hematologic abnormalities were identified. Bone marrow aspirates were examined for the presence of vacuoles. Sequencing of ubiquitin‐activating enzyme E1 (UBA‐1) was performed using genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes or bone marrow tissue.

Results

Seven patients with vasculitis and concomitant features of VEXAS syndrome were identified. A final diagnosis of VEXAS syndrome was made in 3 of the 5 patients who underwent sequencing of UBA‐1 (diagnosis was made postmortem for 1 patient). In all 3 patients, examination of the bone marrow aspirate revealed vacuoles characteristic of VEXAS syndrome, and all 3 patients met the definitive World Health Organization criteria for myelodysplastic syndrome. Cytogenetic analysis showed normal karyotypes in all 3 patients.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of VEXAS syndrome associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis. Our data emphasize the need to consider VEXAS syndrome when evaluating patients with various forms of systemic vasculitis. The novel association between VEXAS syndrome and ANCA‐associated vasculitis reported herein warrants further investigation.
Thermostable trypsin‐like protease by Penicillium roqueforti secreted in cocoa shell fermentation: Production optimization, characterization, and application in milk clotting
Authors: Nogueira Laísa Santana , Tavares Iasnaia Maria de Carvalho , Santana Nívio Batista , Ferrão Sibelli Passini Barbosa , Teixeira Jabson Meneses , Costa Floriatan Santos , Silva Tatielle Pereira , Pereira Hugo Juarez Vieira , Irfan Muhammad , Bilal Muhammad , de Oliveira Julieta Rangel , Franco Marcelo
Published: October 2021

The increased demand for cheese and the limited availability of calf rennet justifies the search for milk‐clotting enzymes from alternative sources. Trypsin‐like protease by Penicillium roqueforti was produced by solid‐state fermentation using cocoa shell waste as substrate. The production of a crude enzyme extract that is rich in this enzyme was optimized using a Doehlert‐type multivariate experimental design. The biochemical characterization showed that the enzyme has excellent activity and stability at alkaline pH (10–12) and an optimum temperature of 80°C, being stable at temperatures above 60°C. Enzymatic activity was maximized in the presence of Na+ (192%), Co2+ (187%), methanol (153%), ethanol (141%), and hexane (128%). Considering the biochemical characteristics obtained and the milk coagulation activity, trypsin‐like protease can be applied in the food industry, such as in milk clotting and in the fabrication of cheeses.