bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular analyses of pseudoscorpions in a subterranean biodiversity hotspot reveal cryptic diversity and microendemism
Authors: Hlebec Dora , Podnar Martina , Kučinić Mladen , Harms Danilo
Published: January 2023

Nested within the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, the Dinaric Karst of the western Balkans is one of the world’s most heterogeneous subterranean ecosystems and renowned for its highly diverse and mostly endemic fauna. The evolutionary processes leading to both endemism and diversity remain insufficiently understood, and large-scale analyses on taxa that are abundant in both subterranean and surface habitats remain infrequent. Here, we provide the first comprehensive molecular study on Croatian pseudoscorpions, a lineage of arachnids that is common and diverse in both habitats. Phylogenetic reconstructions using 499 COI sequences derived from 128 morphospecies collected across the Dinaric Karst show that: (i) occurrence in karstic microhabitats boosters speciation and endemism in the most diverse genera Chthonius C.L. Koch, 1843 (37 morphospecies) and Neobisium Chamberlin, 1930 (34 morphospecies), (ii) evidence for ongoing diversification is found in many species and species complexes through low optimal thresholds (OTs) and species delineation analyses, and (iii) landscape features, such as mountain ranges, correlate with patterns of genetic diversity in the diverse genus Neobisium. We present two synonymies: Protoneobisium Ćurčić, 1988 = Neobisium, syn. nov., and Archaeoroncus Ćurčić and Rađa, 2012 = Roncus L. Koch, 1873, syn. nov. Overall, our study suggests that karstic microhabitats promote diversification in soil- and cave-dwelling arthropods at all taxonomic levels, but also provide important refugia for invertebrates in past and present periods of environmental change.
Fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime imaging reveals a significant cell nuclear viscosity and refractive index changes upon DNA damage
Authors: Clancy Ellen , Ramadurai Siva , Needham Sarah R. , Baker Karen , Eastwood Tara A. , Weinstein Julia A. , Mulvihill Daniel P. , Botchway Stanley W.
Published: January 2023

Cytoplasmic viscosity is a crucial parameter in determining rates of diffusion-limited reactions. Changes in viscosity are associated with several diseases, whilst nuclear viscosity determines gene integrity, regulation and expression. Yet how drugs including DNA-damaging agents affect viscosity is unknown. We demonstrate the use of a platinum complex, Pt[L]Cl, that localizes efficiently mostly in the nucleus as a probe for nuclear viscosity. The phosphorescence lifetime of Pt[L]Cl is sensitive to viscosity and provides an excellent tool to investigate the impact of DNA damage. We show using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) that the lifetime of both green and red fluorescent proteins (FP) are also sensitive to changes in cellular viscosity and refractive index. However, Pt[L]Cl proved to be a more sensitive viscosity probe, by virtue of microsecond phosphorescence lifetime versus nanosecond fluorescence lifetime of FP, hence greater sensitivity to bimolecular reactions. DNA damage was inflicted by either a two-photon excitation, one-photon excitation microbeam and X-rays. DNA damage of live cells causes significant increase in the lifetime of either Pt[L]Cl (HeLa cells, 12.5–14.1 µs) or intracellularly expressed mCherry (HEK293 cells, 1.54–1.67 ns), but a decrease in fluorescence lifetime of GFP from 2.65 to 2.29 ns (in V15B cells). These values represent a viscosity change from 8.59 to 20.56 cP as well as significant changes in the refractive index (RI), according to independent calibration. Interestingly DNA damage localized to a submicron region following a laser microbeam induction showed a whole cell viscosity change, with those in the nucleus being greater than the cytoplasm. We also found evidence of a by-stander effect, whereby adjacent un-irradiated cells also showed nuclear viscosity change. Finally, an increase in viscosity following DNA damage was also observed in bacterial cells with an over-expressed mNeonGreen FP, evidenced by the change in its lifetime from 2.8 to 2.4 ns.
The temporal dynamics of selective attention are reflected by distractor intrusions
Authors: Zivony Alon , Eimer Martin
Published: January 2023

When observers have to identify an object embedded in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) stream, they often erroneously report the identity of a distractor instead of the target (distractor intrusion). In two experiments, we examined whether these intrusion errors are associated with the speed of attentional engagement. Participants reported the identity of target digits indicated by shape selection cues. To manipulate the speed of engagement, targets appeared either within a single RSVP stream or unpredictably in one of two streams. Objects that followed the selection cue were reported more frequently when engagement was delayed (two streams), whereas the probability of reporting objects preceding the cue was higher when engagement was faster (single stream). These results show that distractor intrusions are closely linked to the allocation of selective attention in time, making the intrusion paradigm a useful tool for research into the temporal dynamics of attention. They also provide new evidence for the idea that attentional selectivity operates within brief periods of perceptual enhancement (attentional episodes), facilitating the processing of all objects within this period, regardless of their status as targets or distractors.
The role of pore fluids in supershear earthquake ruptures
Authors: Pampillón Pedro , Santillán David , Mosquera Juan C. , Cueto-Felgueroso Luis
Published: January 2023

The intensity and damage potential of earthquakes are linked to the speed at which rupture propagates along sliding crustal faults. Most earthquakes are sub-Rayleigh, with ruptures that are slower than the surface Rayleigh waves. In supershear earthquakes, ruptures are faster than the shear waves, leading to sharp pressure concentrations and larger intensities compared with the more common sub-Rayleigh ones. Despite significant theoretical and experimental advances over the past two decades, the geological and geomechanical controls on rupture speed transitions remain poorly understood. Here we propose that pore fluids play an important role in explaining earthquake rupture speed: the pore pressure may increase sharply at the compressional front during rupture propagation, promoting shear failure ahead of the rupture front and accelerating its propagation into the supershear range. We characterize the transition from sub-Rayleigh to supershear rupture in fluid-saturated rock, and show that the proposed poroelastic weakening mechanism may be a controlling factor for intersonic earthquake ruptures.
Identification of collaborative cross mouse strains permissive to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infection
Authors: Alugupalli Kishore R. , Kothari Sudeep , Cravens Matthew P. , Walker Justin A. , Dougharty Darren T. , Dickinson Gregory S. , Gatto Louis A. , Bäumler Andreas J. , Wangdi Tamding , Miller Darla R. , Pardo-Manuel de Villena Fernando , Siracusa Linda D.
Published: January 2023

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever restricted to humans and does not replicate in commonly used inbred mice. Genetic variation in humans is far greater and more complex than that in a single inbred strain of mice. The Collaborative Cross (CC) is a large panel of recombinant inbred strains which has a wider range of genetic diversity than laboratory inbred mouse strains. We found that the CC003/Unc and CC053/Unc strains are permissive to intraperitoneal but not oral route of S. Typhi infection and show histopathological changes characteristic of human typhoid. These CC strains are immunocompetent, and immunization induces antigen-specific responses that can kill S. Typhi in vitro and control S. Typhi in vivo. Our results indicate that CC003/Unc and CC053/Unc strains can help identify the genetic basis for typhoid susceptibility, S. Typhi virulence mechanism(s) in vivo, and serve as a preclinical mammalian model system to identify effective vaccines and therapeutics strategies.
Biomechanical evaluation of position and bicortical fixation of anterior lateral vertebral screws in a porcine model
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Kai , Lee De-Mei , Li Yun-Da , Peng Chun-Chin , Tsai Tsung-Ting , Lai Po-Liang , Chen Weng-Pin , Tai Ching-Lung
Published: January 2023

Although an anterior approach with anterior lateral screw fixation has been developed for stabilizing the thoracolumbar spine clinically, screw loosening still occurs. In this novel in vitro study, we attempted to elucidate the optimal screw position in the lateral lumbar vertebra and the effect of bicortical fixation. A total of 72 fresh-frozen lumbar vertebrae from L1–6 were harvested from 12 mature pigs and randomly assigned to two modalities: bicortical fixation (n = 36) and unicortical fixation (n = 36). Six groups of screw positions in the lateral vertebral body in each modality were designated as central-anterior, central-middle, central-posterior, lower-anterior, lower-middle, and lower- posterior; 6 specimens were used in each group. The correlations between screw fixation modalities, screw positions and axial pullout strength were analyzed. An appropriate screw trajectory and insertional depth were confirmed using axial and sagittal X-ray imaging prior to pullout testing. In both bicortical and unicortical fixation modalities, the screw pullout force was significantly higher in the posterior or middle position than in the anterior position (p < 0.05), and there was no significant differences between the central and lower positions. The maximal pullout forces from the same screw positions in unicortical fixation modalities were all significantly lower, decreases that ranged from 32.7 to 74%, than those in bicortical fixation modalities. Our study using porcine vertebrae showed that screws in the middle or posterior position of the lateral vertebral body had a higher pullout performance than those in the anterior position. Posteriorly positioned lateral vertebral screws with unicortical fixation provided better stability than anteriorly positioned screws with bicortical fixation.
Primary isolated right ventricular failure after heart transplantation: prevalence, right ventricular characteristics, and outcomes
Authors: Kaveevorayan Peerapat , Tokavanich Nithi , Kittipibul Veraprapas , Lertsuttimetta Thana , Singhatanadgige Seri , Ongcharit Pat , Sinphurmsukskul Supanee , Ariyachaipanich Aekarach , Siwamogsatham Sarawut , Thammanatsakul Kanokwan , Sritangsirikul Supaporn , Puwanant Sarinya
Published: January 2023

To determine the prevalence, right ventricular (RV) characteristics, and outcomes of primary isolated RV failure (PI-RVF) after heart transplant (HTX). PI-RVF was defined as (1) the need for mechanical circulatory support post-transplant, or (2) evidence of RVF post-transplant as measured by right atrial pressure (RAP) > 15 mmHg, cardiac index of < 2.0 L/min/m2 or inotrope support for < 72 h, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure < 18 mmHg, and transpulmonary gradient < 15 mmHg with pulmonary systolic pressure < 50 mmHg. PI-RVF can be diagnosed from the first 24–72 h after completion of heart transplantation. A total of 122 consecutive patients who underwent HTX were reviewed. Of these, 11 were excluded because of secondary causes of graft dysfunction (GD). PI-RVF was present in 65 of 111 patients (59%) and 31 (48%) met the criteria for PGD-RV. Severity of patients with PI-RVF included 41(37%) mild, 14 (13%) moderate, and 10 (9%) severe. The median onset of PI-RVF was 14 (0–49) h and RV recovery occurred 5 (3–14) days after HTX. Severe RV failure was a predictor of 30-day mortality (HR 13.2, 95% CI 1.6–124.5%, p < 0.001) and post-transplant dialysis (HR 6.9, 95% CI 2.0–257.4%, p = 0.001). Patients with moderate PI-RVF had a higher rate of 30-day mortality (14% vs. 0%, p = 0.014) and post-operative dialysis (21% vs. 2%, p = 0.016) than those with mild PI-RVF. Among patients with mild and moderate PI-RVF, patients who did not meet the criteria of PGD-RV had worsening BUN/creatinine than those who met the PGD-RV criteria (p < 0.05 for all). PI-RVF was common and can occur after 24 h post-HTX. The median RV recovery time was 5 (2–14) days after HTX. Severe PI-RVF was associated with increased rates of 30-day mortality and post-operative dialysis. Moderate PI-RVF was also associated with post-operative dialysis. A revised definition of PGD-RV may be needed since patients who had adverse outcomes did not meet the criteria of PGD-RV.
Measurement of aerodynamic force and moment acting on a javelin using a magnetic suspension and balance system
Authors: Seo Kazuya , Okuizumi Hiroyuki , Konishi Yasufumi , Kobayashi Takuto , Hasegawa Hiroaki , Obayashi Shigeru
Published: January 2023

The rules governing the dimensions of the Javelin were substantially changed in 1986. It was considered that this new design guaranteed there was zero pitching moment at 0° angle of attack and that the pitching moment decreased (became negative) with increasing angle of attack. The objective of this study is to investigate if the pitching moment remains always negative (nose-down rotation). To measure accurate aerodynamic forces acting on a Javelin, the world’s largest 1 m magnetic suspension and balance system was used. The magnetic suspension and balance system was able to measure aerodynamic forces without support interference in the wind tunnel. In addition, computational fluid dynamics were carried out to estimate the pitching moment coefficients. It was found that the pitching moment coefficient of a commercially available Javelin becomes positive (nose-up rotation) at lower angles of attack, less than 12°. The pitching moment becomes positive if the upstream side of the center of gravity receives more inflow than the downstream side. This situation can be attained by, for example, increasing the thickness of the upstream side when compared with that of the downstream side.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts nodal involvement in unfavourable, clinically nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients and overall survival in pN1 patients
Authors: Zapała Piotr , Garbas Karolina , Lewandowski Zbigniew , Ślusarczyk Aleksander , Ślusarczyk Cezary , Mielczarek Łukasz , Marra Giancarlo , Pradere Benjamin , Rajwa Pawel , Zapała Łukasz , Radziszewski Piotr
Published: January 2023

The aim of our study was to determine the clinical utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting presence and prognosis of nodal involvement in patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) due to prostate cancer. This single-centre retrospective study included 205 patients treated with RP and lymphadenectomy between 2012 and 2018. Logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative NLR in terms of nodal spread and survival. Patients staged pN1 presented lower mean NLR (2.53 vs 3.86; p = 0.0025) compared to pN0 patients. On multivariable analysis of different haematological markers, only NLR exceeding the median (≥ 2.7) predicted pN1 (OR = 0.38; p = 0.0367) independently of biopsy grading and PSA. In internal validation (n = 31 pN1, n = 174 pN0) on the bootstrapped dataset using a spare cutoff of NLR ≥ 4.1 would allow sparing lymphadenectomy in 22.09% pN0 patients, missing 6.45% pN1 (NPV 92.66%; 95% CI 84.91–100%). Noticeably, in pN1 patients NLR ≥ 2.7 correlated with shorter overall survival (p = 0.0196), despite its association with reduced risk of pN1. High pre-prostatectomy NLR was negatively associated with pN1, yielding high NPV in internal validation. Simultaneously, high NLR in pN1 patients was associated with shorter survival.
Clinico-epidemiological profile and risk factors of hypertensive crisis among patients attended at a tertiary care hospital in Somalia
Authors: Mohamud Mohamed Farah Yusuf
Published: January 2023

Hypertensive crisis (HC) is a life-threatening clinical condition in which an abrupt rise in arterial blood pressure can lead to acute damage to vital organs. The main objective of our study is to determine the epidemiological profile, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of hypertensive crisis patients in Somalia. This study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted on HC patients attended at Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, from November 2020 to April 2021. A total of 6239 patients were screened during the study period. The prevalence of HC was 2.1% (128/6239). Of them, 76 (59.4%) were males. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 56.5 (± 16.9) years (range: 24–98 years). 54.7% (70/128) met the criteria for a hypertensive emergency, while 45.3% (58/128) met the criteria of hypertensive urgency. Most patients (55.5%) took a single antihypertensive medicine, with calcium channel blockers being the most frequently used (57.8%). Headache and palpitation were the most often reported symptoms upon admission (39.1% and 25%). The most often prescribed antihypertensive drugs for the initial therapy included Intravenous furosemide (35.2%), Sublingual captopril (25.8%), intravenous nitroglycerin (23.4%), and intravenous labetalol (20%). Among the forms or patterns of end-organ damage of HE, we most frequently observed acute heart failure (45.7%), acute pulmonary edema (29.9%), and acute renal injury (25.7%). Infrequent medical checkups, poor compliance with medications, poor compliance with exercise, positive family history of hypertension, and being male gender were significant predictors of HC, AOR = 20.312; p < 0.000, AOR = 7.021; p < 0.008, AOR = 6.158; p < 0.017, AOR = 3.545; p < 0.032, and AOR = 2.144; p = 0.001, respectively. In Somalia, the hypertensive crisis is common in this clinic population. Infrequent medical checkups, poor compliance with medications and exercise, positive family history of hypertension, and being male gender were significant predictors of HC.
High-fat diet and estrogen modulate the gut microbiota in a sex-dependent manner in mice
Authors: Hases Linnea , Stepanauskaite Lina , Birgersson Madeleine , Brusselaers Nele , Schuppe-Koistinen Ina , Archer Amena , Engstrand Lars , Williams Cecilia
Published: January 2023

A high-fat diet can lead to gut microbiota dysbiosis, chronic intestinal inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. Notably, resulting phenotypes, such as glucose and insulin levels, colonic crypt cell proliferation, and macrophage infiltration, exhibit sex differences, and females are less affected. This is, in part, attributed to sex hormones. To investigate if there are sex differences in the microbiota and if estrogenic ligands can attenuate high-fat diet-induced dysbiosis, we used whole-genome shotgun sequencing to characterize the impact of diet, sex, and estrogenic ligands on the microbial composition of the cecal content of mice. We here report clear host sex differences along with remarkably sex-dependent responses to high-fat diet. Females, specifically, exhibited increased abundance of Blautia hansenii, and its levels correlated negatively with insulin levels in both sexes. Estrogen treatment had a modest impact on the microbiota diversity but altered a few important species in males. This included Collinsella aerofaciens F, which we show correlated with colonic macrophage infiltration. In conclusion, male and female mice exhibit clear differences in their cecal microbial composition and in how diet and estrogens impact the composition. Further, specific microbial strains are significantly correlated with metabolic parameters.
Shift in groundwater recharge of the Bengal Basin from rainfall to surface water
Authors: Jameel Yusuf , Stahl Mason , Michael Holly , Bostick Benjamin C , Steckler Michael S. , Schlosser Peter , van Geen Alexander , Harvey Charles
Published: January 2023

Groundwater supports agriculture and provides domestic water for over 250 million people in the Bengal Basin. Here we investigate the source of groundwater recharge using over 2500 stable water isotope measurements from the region. We employ a Monte Carlo statistical analysis to find distributions of possible components of recharge by accounting for the variability of isotope ratios in each of the possible recharge sources. We find that groundwater recharge sources have shifted in the last decades with a ~50% increase in recharge from stagnant surface water bodies (mostly during the latter part of the dry season) and a relative decrease in contribution from direct infiltration of precipitation (which occurs mostly in the early monsoon). We attribute this shift to an increase in standing water in irrigated rice fields and ponds, and an increase in the downward hydraulic gradient during the dry season driven by pumping.
piRNAs regulate a Hedgehog germline-to-soma pro-aging signal
Authors: Shi Cheng , Murphy Coleen T.
Published: January 2023

The reproductive system regulates somatic aging through competing anti- and pro-aging signals. Germline removal extends somatic lifespan through conserved pathways including insulin and mammalian target-of-rapamycin signaling, while germline hyperactivity shortens lifespan through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that mating-induced germline hyperactivity downregulates piRNAs, in turn desilencing their targets, including the Hedgehog-like ligand-encoding genes wrt-1 and wrt-10, ultimately causing somatic collapse and death. Germline-produced Hedgehog signals require PTR-6 and PTR-16 receptors for mating-induced shrinking and death. Our results reveal an unconventional role of the piRNA pathway in transcriptional regulation of Hedgehog signaling and a new role of Hedgehog signaling in the regulation of longevity and somatic maintenance: Hedgehog signaling is controlled by the tunable piRNA pathway to encode the previously unknown germline-to-soma pro-aging signal. Mating-induced piRNA downregulation in the germline and subsequent Hedgehog signaling to the soma enable the animal to tune somatic resource allocation to germline needs, optimizing reproductive timing and survival.
Arabidopsis thalianaNudiXes have RNA-decapping activity
Authors: Mititelu Maria-Bianca , Hudeček Oldřich , Gozdek Agnieszka , Benoni Roberto , Nešuta Ondřej , Krasnodębski Szymon , Kufel Joanna , Cahová Hana
Published: January 2023

In light of recent discoveries of noncanonical RNA caps, we studied substrate specificity of potential plant RNA decapping enzymes - NudiXes. We have found that some are very selective, while others function as general RNA decapping enzymes.
Correction: Regioselective O-alkylation of 2-pyridones by TfOH-catalyzed carbenoid insertion
Authors: Yan Zhewei , He Hangli , Yuan Dabiao , Yan Qiongjiao , Wang Wei , Jiang Haipeng , Wang Haifeng , Chen Fener
Published: January 2023

Correction for ‘Regioselective O-alkylation of 2-pyridones by TfOH-catalyzed carbenoid insertion’ by Zhewei Yan et al., Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 106–109, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2cc05676c.
Mechanistic insight into low temperature SCR by ceria–manganese mixed oxides incorporated into zeolites
Authors: Nelson Nicholas C. , Andana Tahrizi , Rappé Kenneth G. , Wang Yong
Published: January 2023

The low temperature activity of zeolite-based SCR catalysts can be improved through incorporation of a metal oxide. The metal oxide catalyzes NO oxidation and prevents NH4NO3 deposits, while the zeolite phase provides NH3 adsorption sites.
Spatiotemporal patterns of soil heavy metal pollution risk and driving forces of increment in a typical industrialized region in central China
Authors: Yang Xue , Yang Yong
Published: January 2023

The long-term investigation of soil heavy metal pollution in one industrial area shows that the soil Cu, Pb and Cd pollution is quite serious, and the heavy metal increase is mainly caused by various industrial and mining activities.
Effect of flaxseed supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review, and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Li Lingou , Li Hanzhang , Gao Yuzhen , vafaei Somayeh , Zhang Xingyu , Yang Mei
Published: January 2023

Supplementation with various flaxseed products significantly reduced blood pressure levels.
Comparison between dietary assessment methods and biomarkers in estimating dietary (poly)phenol intake
Authors: Xu Yifan , Li Yong , Ma Xuemei , Alotaibi Wafa , Le Sayec Melanie , Cheok Alex , Wood Eleanor , Hein Sabine , Young Tie Yang Paul , Hall Wendy L. , Nosarti Chiara , Dazzan Paola , Gibson Rachel , Rodriguez-Mateos Ana
Published: January 2023

This study compared the agreement between a food frequency questionnaire and a 7-day food diary in assessing (poly)phenol intake and explore their associations with the urinary and plasma (poly)phenol metabolites.
Tunable resonance of a graphene-perovskite terahertz metasurface
Authors: Li Guibin , Wang Guocui , Zhang Yan , Shen Jingling , Zhang Bo
Published: January 2023

The combination of graphene and perovskite has received extensive research attention because its photoelectric properties are excellent for the dynamic manipulation of light–matter interactions.
In situ crystal reconstruction strategy-based highly efficient air-processed inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskite photovoltaics for indoor, outdoor, and switching applications
Authors: Bahadur Jitendra , Ryu Jun , Pandey Padmini , Cho SungWon , Cho Jung Sang , Kang Dong-Won
Published: January 2023

The PEAI additive helps in the crystal growth regulation of CsPbI2Br perovskite, which contributes to indoor/outdoor photovoltaic implementation with exceptional conversion efficiency.
Non-〈111〉-oriented semiconductor nanowires: growth, properties, and applications
Authors: Yan Xin , Liu Yuqing , Zha Chaofei , Zhang Xia , Zhang Yunyan , Ren Xiaomin
Published: January 2023

This review paper provides an overview of the growth, properties, and applications of non-〈111〉-oriented semiconductor nanowires for future electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Stereoselective semisynthesis of uzarigenin and allo-uzarigenin
Authors: Al Muthafer Sarah , Schissler Christoph , Koch Vanessa , Kühner Hannes , Nieger Martin , Bräse Stefan
Published: January 2023

Herein, we present the first stereoselective semisynthesis of uzarigenin and allo-uzarigenin starting from the broadly available epi-androsterone in nine and seven steps, respectively.
Production of high-quality and large lateral-size black phosphorus nanoparticles/nanosheets by liquid-phase exfoliation
Authors: Sarwar Haris , Ji Peirui , Shafique Shareen , Wang Xiaomin , Yang Shuming
Published: January 2023

This work presented a cost-effective and simple route for the fabrication of high-quality and large lateral-size black phosphorus nanoparticles/nanosheets by liquid-phase exfoliation.
Novel targeted pH-responsive drug delivery systems based on PEGMA-modified bimetallic Prussian blue analogs for breast cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Qiang , Huang Xiaoyu , Zhang Geyi , Li Jiangnan , Liu Yang , Yan Xu
Published: January 2023

Core–shell structured bimetallic PBA@PEGMA@AS1411-based DOX loading and pH-responsive controlled release systems for breast cancer chemotherapy.
Unveiling the inhibitory mechanism of aureusidin targeting xanthine oxidase by multi-spectroscopic methods and molecular simulations
Authors: He Pei , Xu Haiqi , Yang Can , Yu Dehong , Liu Yi , Du Jiana , Li Yanfang
Published: January 2023

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key target for gout treatment.
Stable Zn electrodes enabled by an ultra-thin Zn phosphate protective layer
Authors: Li Jing , Zheng Zhi , Yu Zixun , She Fangxin , Lai Leo , Prabowo Justin , Lv Wei , Wei Li , Chen Yuan
Published: January 2023

An ultra-thin (45 ± 5 nm) ion conductive surface protection layer prepared by a simple chemical treatment method effectively enhances the surface stability of Zn electrodes and prolongs their cycling stability.
Acid-assisted polymerization: the novel synthetic route of sensing layers based on PANI films and chelating agents protected by non-biofouling layer for Fe2+ or Fe3+ potentiometric detection
Authors: Ismail Rimeh , Šeděnková Ivana , Svoboda Jan , Lukešová Miroslava , Walterová Zuzana , Tomšík Elena
Published: January 2023

It is shown for the first time that PANI could be synthesized by acid-assisted polymerization, which gives the stable PANI suspension. PANI suspension can be deposited on any surface with the formation of reproducible and stable film for biosensor application.
Metallic to half-metallic transition driven by pressure and anion composition in niobium oxyfluoride
Authors: Dempsey Eliza K. , Cumby James
Published: January 2023

Substituting fluorine for oxygen in niobium fluoride results in a tuneable change from metallic to half-metallic conduction. This behaviour can also be switched using moderate applied pressure.
Air-stable high-PLQY cesium lead halide perovskites for laser-patterned displays
Authors: Liu Ping , Yu Boyang , Cai Wanqing , Yao Xiongxian , Chang Kai , Zhao Xinyan , Si Zhichun , Deng Weiwei , Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhou Guangmin , Wei Guodan
Published: January 2023

Air-stable pure-red emissive perovskite films with high photoluminescence quantum yields have been achieved by Lewis base–acid interaction of polymer additive. Laser direct writing patterned complex displays in micrometer size on the perovskite films.
Safe energy-storage mechanical metamaterials via architecture design
Authors: You Junjie , Wang Chengyu , Ma Li , Yin Sha
Published: January 2023

Mechanical and functional properties of metamaterials could be simultaneously manipulated via their architectures. This study proposes multifunctional metamaterials possessing both load-bearing capacity and energy storage capability, comprising multi-phase lattice metamaterial and cylindrical battery cells. Defect phase are incorporated into the metamaterials, which are then printed with stainless steel powder. The printed metamaterials are assembled with battery cells and compressed. Experimental results revealed that the voids in the lattice metamaterials, could guide deformation mode away from the internal battery cell that postponed the emergence of battery short-circuit. Effects of void phase pattern and content are discussed by simulation. We found that the multifunctional system could absorb greater energy after defect phase incorporation, as designed with proper void phase pattern and content. Also, these findings are further validated for the system with six battery cells. This study demonstrated how to design an energy-storage metamaterials with enhanced mechanical properties and battery safety simultaneously. Also, defect engineering was helpful for battery protection and energy absorption of the multifunctional system.
Effect of the cooling rate on encapsulant's crystallinity and optical properties, and photovoltaic modules' lifetime
Authors: Meslier Vincent , Chambion Bertrand , Boulanger Amandine , Rahmoun Ichrak , Chabuel Fabien , Bejat Timea
Published: January 2023

Since the renewable energy thrive, performances and lifetime of photovoltaic (PV) modules have been one of the big international concern. The mechanical bonding between the different components and the materials' choice can significantly improve both performances and lifetime of PV modules. The manufacturing process plays also a significant part in the modules lifetime [G. Oreski, B. Ottersböck, A. Omazic, Degradation Processes and Mechanisms of Encapsulants, in Durability and Reliability of Polymers and Other Materials in Photovoltaic Modules (Elsevier, 2019), pp. 135–152]. This work deals with the controlled cooling part of the manufacturing process. The aim is to characterize its influence on an encapsulant properties, and its influences on modules degradation. This work is a part of improving both performances and lifetime of PV modules. First, the work focuses on describing the real temperature seen by a thermoplastic polyolefin encapsulant during the lamination process. A multi-chamber R&D laminator is used and studied in order to better know the industrial equipment. Results show that the cooling process reduces the time to cool down by a factor of ∼5 compared to natural air convection. Secondly, the material's micro-structure is analysed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The impact of the process is quantified. It does have an influence on the encapsulant crystallites' size distribution without modifying the total crystallinity. Thirdly, the impact of the cooling process on optical properties is investigated. Using spectrophotometry and haze-metry optical characterization, coupled with a known light spectrum, the light intensity coming out from the material is analysed. Results show that the cooling process does not have any influence on transmittance nor reflectance. However, a 34% reduction in the haze factor is recorded when using the industrial laminator cooling process. Fourthly, mechanical bond strength between glass and encapsulant is characterized over ageing. Normalized 10 mm width strips are used to estimate the bond strength. It demonstrates that applying pressure during cooling does not influence the bond strength between glass and encapsulant after 1000 h of damp heat ageing. Finally, impact of the cooling process over ageing on PV modules is discussed. Two accelerating ageing methods, 300 Thermal Cycles and 1000 h damp heat, are used to speed up ageing processes. The electrical components of the PV modules are analysed and used to assess the modules' degradation. Modules manufactured with the cooling process are more sensitive to damp heat after 500 h than modules cooled by natural convection. No significant differences were found in thermal cycling ageing.
A direct measure of positive feedback loop-gain due to reverse bias damage in thin-film solar cells using lock-in thermography
Authors: Nofal Suheir , Pieters Bart E. , Hülsbeck Markus , Zahren Christoph , Gerber Andreas , Rau Uwe
Published: January 2023

In this work, we present a method to study thermal runaway effects in thin-film solar cells. Partial shading of solar cells often leads to permanent damage to shaded cells and degrades the performance of solar modules over time. Under partial shading, the shaded cells may experience a reverse bias junction breakdown. In large-area devices such as solar cells, this junction breakdown tends to take place very locally, thus leading to very local heating and so-called “hot-spots”. Previously, it was shown that a positive feedback effect exists in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, where a highly localized power dissipation is amplified, which may lead to an unstable thermal runaway process. Furthermore, we introduced a novel characterization technique, laser induced Hot-Spot Lock-In Thermography (HS-LIT), which visualizes the positive feedback effect. In this paper, we present a modified HS-LIT technique that allows us to quantify directly a loop-gain for hot-spot formation. By quantifying the loop-gain we obtain a direct measure of how unstable a local hot-spot is, which allows the non-destructive study of hot-spot formation under various conditions and in various cells and cell types. We discuss the modified HS-LIT setup for the direct measurement of the loop-gain. Furthermore, we demonstrate the new method by measuring the loop-gain of the thermal runaway effect in a CIGS solar cell as a function of reverse bias voltage.
Challenging Cases of Neurocognitive Disorders
Authors: Mastrianni James A. , Seibert Kaitlin
Published: January 2023

Dementia is broadly defined by DSM-V as cognitive decline from a previous level that impacts the patient's functioning at work or play. This broad definition does not provide information about the underlying disease process, an aspect of clinical care that is of increasing importance, as therapeutic development inches closer to effective disease-modifying treatments. The most common neurodegenerative dementias include Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson's disease dementia. Although rare, the prion diseases constitute an important group of dementias that should be routinely considered in the evaluation. Over the last two decades, advances in neuroimaging, biomarker development, and neurogenetics have not only led to a better understanding of the biology of these diseases, but they have improved our awareness of less common clinical subtypes of dementia. As such, to best define the disease process, the evaluation of a patient with cognitive decline requires attention to a myriad of disease aspects, such as the primary symptom at onset (memory, language, visual perception, praxis, etc.), the age at onset (younger or older than 65 years), the rate of disease progression (weeks to months or years), the cognitive and behavioral profile (neuropsychological assessment), and involvement of physical findings. We present here three cases that highlight the decision-making process in the evaluation of patients with atypical presentations of dementia.
Memory in repetitive protein–protein interaction series
Authors: Rosado Aaron M. , Zhang Yan , Choi Hyun-Kyu , Chen Yunfeng , Ehrlich Samuel M. , Jin Fengzhi , Grakoui Arash , Evavold Brian D. , Zhu Cheng
Published: January 2023

Interactions between proteins coordinate biological processes in an organism and may impact its responses to changing environments and diseases through feedback systems. Feedback systems function by using changes in the past to influence behaviors in the future, which we refer to here as memory. Here, we summarized several observations made, ideas conceptualized, and mathematical models developed for quantitatively analyzing memory effects in repetitive protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Specifically, we consider how proteins on the cell or in isolation retain information about prior interactions to impact current interactions. The micropipette, biomembrane force probe, and atomic force microscopic techniques were used to repeatedly assay PPIs. The resulting time series were analyzed by a previous and two new models to extract three memory indices of short (seconds), intermediate (minutes), and long (hours) timescales. We found that interactions of cell membrane, but not soluble, T cell receptor (TCR) with peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) exhibits short-term memory that impacts on-rate, but not off-rate of the binding kinetics. Peptide dissociation from MHC resulted in intermediate- and long-term memories in TCR–pMHC interactions. However, we observed no changes in kinetic parameters by repetitive measurements on living cells over intermediate timescales using stable pMHCs. Parameters quantifying memory effects in PPIs could provide additional information regarding biological mechanisms. The methods developed herein also provide tools for future research.
Real-time probing technique of domain wall dynamic in perpendicularly magnetized film
Authors: Xing Tao , Vernier Nicolas , Zhang Xueying , Raskine Alessio , Zhao Weisheng
Published: January 2023

We present the study of a rarely mentioned method for measuring the magnetic domain wall velocity, which makes it possible to have a real-time probing of the domain wall movement in the perpendicularly magnetized thin film. We have compared this technique in detail with the most common Kerr imaging method. The comparison results show interesting differences if the spot size is too small. It can be explained by the dendritic shape of the domain wall. By changing the size spot, we propose a basic model that describes quite well the transit time in the laser spot as a function of its size and makes it possible to extract the velocity and depth of the dendrites. By generalizing our method, it helps people to understand magnetic domain wall dynamics from the temporal dimension and helps the academic community to obtain intrinsic domain wall motion characteristics in the film sample, ultimately promoting the development of spintronic devices.
Polariton lasing in AlGaN microring with GaN/AlGaN quantum wells
Authors: Delphan Anthonin , Makhonin Maxim N. , Isoniemi Tommi , Walker Paul M. , Skolnick Maurice S. , Krizhanovskii Dmitry N. , Skryabin Dmitry V. , Carlin Jean-François , Grandjean Nicolas , Butté Raphaël
Published: January 2023

Microcavity polaritons are strongly interacting hybrid light–matter quasiparticles, which are promising for the development of novel light sources and active photonic devices. Here, we report polariton lasing in the UV spectral range in microring resonators based on GaN/AlGaN slab waveguides, with experiments carried out from 4 K up to room temperature. Stimulated polariton relaxation into multiple ring resonator modes is observed, which exhibit threshold-like dependence of the emission intensity with pulse energy. The strong exciton-photon coupling regime is confirmed by the significant reduction of the free spectral range with energy and the blueshift of the exciton–like modes with increasing pulse energy. Importantly, the exciton emission shows no broadening with power, further confirming that lasing is observed at electron–hole densities well below the Mott transition. Overall, our work paves the way toward the development of novel UV devices based on the high-speed slab waveguide polariton geometry operating up to room temperature with the potential to be integrated into complex photonic circuits.
Abnormal thermal conduction and stochastic resonance phenomenon in a finite lattice system
Authors: Li Yiran , Wu Jiaquan , Ye Fei , Zhang Xinyu
Published: January 2023

This paper studies the thermal conduction of Frenkel–Kontorva (FK)-ϕ4 lattices with the finite number of atoms under a periodic force. Through numerical simulations, we find that in the thermal conduction of non-linear lattices, external periodic signals can act in conjunction with noise to create stochastic resonance behaviors and that some adjustable dynamical parameters, such as the onsite potential of the FK and ϕ4 lattices, the amplitude and frequency of external periodic signals, can regulate heat flux. Our study results can provide a sufficient theoretical basis for the fabrication of thermal devices and the control and utilization of thermal energy.
Aging temperature effects on microstructure and mechanical properties for additively manufactured AlSi10Mg
Authors: Yaru Liang , Tiejun Ma , Tounan Jin , Bo Zhang , Le Yang , Wenhang Yin , Hanguang Fu
Published: January 2023

AlSi10Mg alloy was prepared by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties after diverse aging temperatures were systematically studied. The metastable ultra-fine cellular structure was obtained for as-built specimens. Aging at lower temperatures (100–225°C) promotes the formation of a large number of Si-rich precipitates, and the original Si networks can be retained. With the increase in aging temperature, Si network gradually broke apart, and Si-rich particles grew and spheroidised. The hardness increases with temperatures up to 175°C, and decreases thereafter, while the opposite trend was observed for elongation. Excellent comprehensive mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 381 MPa and elongation of 5.2% can be obtained at 225°C for 2 h.

Highlights The effect of aging temperatures on microstructure stability and mechanical properties of additive manufacturing AlSi10Mg alloy has been revealed systematically. The Si-rich precipitates and eutectic Si network were responsible for the observed mechanical properties changes. A good combination of strength and ductility is obtained at 225°C for 2 h aging heat treatment.
Effect of lanthanum on thermal and mechanical properties of modified polyvinyl chloride film
Authors: Chen Yan , Lu Yi-Heng , Lu Yu-Wei
Published: January 2023

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hybrid film containing cerium, tin and folic acid modified nano titanium dioxide is a new functional material with good compatibility, light resistance and heat resistance. In this work, the PVC hybrid film was prepared by replacing cerium with lanthanum. The hybrid film was characterized by thermogravimetric infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength and thermal aging. The results show that the initial thermal stability of the hybrid film containing lanthanum is slightly higher than that of the control sample (conversion α < 1.9%). For the same gaseous component plasticizer, the peak intensity of the ester based infrared characteristic group is higher than that of the hybrid film containing lanthanum, indicating that the intermolecular force between lanthanum and plasticizer is greater than that of cerium. In the range of 350 °C–575 °C and the wave number range of 2850–3100 cm−1, the peak height of the lanthanum containing film is significantly higher than that of the control sample, which may be due to the difference of the outer layer electrons. The peak intensity of O and C atoms on the surface of the hybrid film containing lanthanum is significantly lower than that of the control sample, indicating that the surface relative concentration of lanthanum atoms is lower than that of cerium atoms. The surface roughness RMS of the hybrid film containing lanthanum is significantly lower than that of the organic tin film, which is the result of the attraction between folic acid modified TiO2, lanthanum and tin and the carbon chlorine bond in PVC. It has the function of a potential ultrafiltration membrane. In addition, the hybrid film containing 1phr lanthanum shows good energy storage modulus and low temperature resistance. The prepared hybrid film shows the characteristics of a potential multi-functional material.
Machine-learning assisted compositional optimization of 2xxx series aluminum alloys towards tensile strength
Authors: Zhang Yingbo , Zhang Pu , Li Jiaheng , Zeng Qi , Li Mojia , Hu Yunfeng , Peng Yuanhui
Published: January 2023

High-strength 2xxx series aluminum alloys (Al-Cu system) have been favored by the aerospace and railway transportation industries. Traditionally, developing new materials with targeted properties is guided by extensive experiments and expert experience, causing the development process to be dismayingly slow and expensive. Here, a Kriging model-based efficient global optimization(EGO) lgorithm is applied to search for new 2xxx series aluminum alloys with high tensile strength in a huge search space. After four iterations, the alloy’s ultimate tensile strength increased by 60 MPa, which is higher than that of the best alloy in the initial data set. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using machine-learning to search for 2xxx alloys with good mechanical performance.
Structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties in distorted RE
2NiTiO6 double perovskite compounds
Authors: Zhang Zhenqian , Xu Peng , Jia Youshun , Li Lingwei
Published: January 2023

The magnetocaloric effect based Magnetic refrigeration (MR) was considered a novel energy-efficient and environmentally benign cooling method. However, the lack of suitable magnetic solids has slowed the development of its practical applications. We herein fabricated the RE
2NiTiO6 (RE = Gd, Tb and Ho) double perovskite (DP) compounds and systematically determined their structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties by experimental determination and density functional theory calculations, in which the Gd2NiTiO6 was realized to exhibit promising cryogenic magnetocaloric performances. The results indicated that all the RE
2NiTiO6 DP compounds crystallized in a distorted monoclinic structure with P21/n space group and underwent a second order type magnetic phase transition around 4.3, 4.5 and 3.9 K, for Gd2NiTiO6, Tb2NiTiO6 and Ho2NiTiO6, respectively. The magnetocaloric performances were checked by the parameters of maximum magnetic entropy change and relative cooling power, which are 31.28 J·kg−1·K−1 and 242.11 J·kg−1 for Gd2NiTiO6, 13.08 J·kg−1·K−1 and 213.41 J·kg−1 for Tb2NiTiO6, 11.98 J·kg−1·K−1 and 221.73 J·kg−1 for Ho2NiTiO6 under the magnetic field change of 0–50 kOe, respectively. Evidently, the Gd2NiTiO6 compound exhibit promising magnetocaloric performances and therefore is of potential for practical cryogenic MR applications.