bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scalable Mechanochemical Synthesis of Biotin[6]uril
Authors: Suut‐Tuule Elina , Schults Eve , Jarg Tatsiana , Adamson Jasper , Kananovich Dzmitry , Aav Riina
Published: January 2025

Biotin[6]uril, a chiral, water‐soluble and anion binding macrocycle, is formed via dynamic covalent chemistry. In this study, we present a scalable and high‐yielding synthesis of biotin[6]uril via a mechanochemical solid‐state approach. The optimized protocol involves mechanical grinding of solid d‐biotin with paraformaldehyde in the presence of 0.3 equivalents of 48 % aqueous HBr, which functions as a catalyst, template, and liquid grinding additive. This mechanochemical process is carried out in a shaker or planetary mill, followed by aging at an elevated temperature to produce biotin[6]uril with an HPLC yield of up to 96 %. The condensation and macrocyclization reaction was successfully scaled up 82‐fold, producing nearly 20 g of biotin[6]uril with a high 92 % isolated yield and 91 % purity. Compared to conventional solution‐based method, this mechanochemical approach offers several advantages, including significantly higher yields, shorter reaction times, enhanced scalability, simpler operational requirements, and substantially lower process mass intensity.
Sky High or Grounded: Nest Site Selection of Herons and Egrets in a Mixed‐Species Colony
Authors: Samraoui Farrah , Nedjah Riad , Boucheker Abdennour , El‐Serehy Hamed A. , Samraoui Boudjéma
Published: January 2025

Resource partitioning is crucial for the coexistence of colonial herons, as it allows multiple species to share the same habitat while minimising competition. This study took advantage of a natural experiment in 2006 and 2007 when Black‐crowned Night Herons were prevented from breeding at Lake Fetzara in the first year due to the presence of a feral cat. This event provided valuable insight into the spatial and temporal dynamics of nest site selection among coexisting heron species, which consisted of Cattle Egrets (Ardea ibis), Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) and Squacco Herons (Ardeola ralloides). After the cat was removed, egg‐laying began in the core areas of the colony and gradually spread to the periphery. Species that initiated nesting early selected mid‐elevation sites near the tree trunk, which likely offered protection from both ground and aerial predators, while also providing some shielding from solar radiation and strong winds. These early selected sites featured larger branches, which conferred greater nest stability. Vertical stratification was evident among the heron species; however, contrary to long‐standing assumptions, it was not directly related to body size. Both vertical and horizontal stratification were observed, with nests progressively moving higher and further from the tree trunk as the breeding season advanced. The following year, Black‐crowned Night Herons displaced other species to lower heights and positions further from the trunk, highlighting the significant influence of interspecific interactions on nest site selection. This study underscores the complex interplay between nest site selection, biotic interactions and abiotic factors in heron colonies, emphasising the importance of resource partitioning in maintaining species coexistence in densely populated breeding sites.
Development of Lightweight and Flexible Electromagnetic Shielding Materials Using Carbon Nanotube‐Based Composites
Authors: Yoshida Naoaki , Kondo Fuma , Soga Tetsuo , Kishi Naoki
Published: January 2025

The recent development of wireless communication technology has increased the risk of electronic equipment malfunctions and information leaks. To address this issue, we developed and evaluated a lightweight and flexible electromagnetic shielding material that can be applied to wearable devices by combining carbon nanotubes and elastomer materials.
Evaluation of the Mechanical and Biological Properties of Polycaprolactone Scaffolds Produced by a Material Extrusion 3D Printer or 3D Pen: A Novel Bone Repair Strategy
Authors: Cai HongXin , Lee Min‐Yong , Kim Kwang‐Mahn , Jiang Heng Bo , Kwon Jae‐Sung
Published: January 2025

Addressing the high cost and long cycle associated with the multistep digital restoration process involving 3D printing technology, we proposed the 3D pen as an innovative strategy for rapid bone repair. Capitalizing on the low melting point characteristic of polycaprolactone (PCL), we introduced, for the first time, the novel concept of directly constructing scaffolds at bone defect sites using 3D pens. In this in vitro study, we meticulously evaluated both the mechanical and biological properties of 3D pen‐printed PCL scaffolds with six distinct textures: unidirectional (UNI) (0°, 45°, 90°), bidirectional (BID) (−45°/45°, 0°/90°), and concentric (CON). The bone repair scaffold creation process was simulated using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer and a 3D pen by creating a cattle bone defect model to compare the achieved scaffold time efficiency and accuracy. Mechanical test results revealed that 3D pen‐printed scaffolds with different textures exhibited varying results in four tests, except the shear bond test. Optimal scaffold strength was consistently achieved when printing parallel to the applied force. Regarding biological properties, these scaffolds exhibited consistent cell viability over time and showcased excellent cell attachment capabilities overall. Furthermore, cells grew regularly along the printed filaments, with additional living cells at high elevations observed. Additionally, the 3D pen method outperformed traditional digital technology with an FDM 3D printer concerning accuracy and speed. These findings underscored the tremendous potential of the 3D pen in the realm of medical science, specifically within the domain of bone tissue engineering, characterized by its low cost, high speed, and convenience.
Self‐Assembly Behavior of Zein on Two Different Substrates Visualized by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Hu Jing , Liu Mengnan , Dong Litong , Luo Jie , Cao Liang , Gao Mingyan , Wang Zuobin
Published: January 2025

When protein molecules come into contact with different types of substrate materials, the surface properties of the substrate will have a significant effect on their self‐assembly behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the self‐assembly behavior of zein molecules on the two different substrates. Herein, the microstructure of zein molecules on the surface of two typical substrates, mica and glass, were characterized in detail by atomic force microscopy. It was found that zein molecules self‐assemble to form spherical structures with uniform size and close arrangement on mica substrates. Compared with mica, the rough glass surface possesses a larger water contact angle, which leads to weaker interaction between zein molecules and its surface, thus enhancing the interaction between zein molecules. Therefore, the zein molecules on the glass substrate exhibit a distinct hierarchical arrangement of one large globule surrounded by many smaller ones. This work provides valuable information for further study of the self‐assembly behavior of zein molecules on the substrate surface.
Utility of ChatGPT as a preparation tool for the Orthopaedic In‐Training Examination
Authors: Mendiratta Dhruv , Herzog Isabel , Singh Rohan , Para Ashok , Joshi Tej , Vosbikian Michael , Kaushal Neil
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Chat Generative Pre‐Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) may have implications as a novel educational resource. There are differences in opinion on the best resource for the Orthopaedic In‐Training Exam (OITE) as information changes from year to year. This study assesses ChatGPT's performance on the OITE for use as a potential study resource for residents.

Methods

Questions for the OITE data set were sourced from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) website. All questions from the 2022 OITE were included. All questions, including those with images, were included in the analysis. The questions were formatted in the same manner as presented on the AAOS website, with the question, narrative text and answer choices separated by a line. Each question was evaluated in a new chat session to minimize confounding variables. Answers from ChatGPT were characterized by whether they contained logical, internal or external information. Incorrect responses were further categorized into logical, informational or explicit fallacies.

Results

ChatGPT yielded an overall success rate of 48.3% based on the 2022 AAOS OITE. ChatGPT demonstrated the ability to apply logic and stepwise thinking in 67.6% of the questions. ChatGPT effectively utilized internal information from the question stem in 68.1% of the questions. ChatGPT also demonstrated the ability to incorporate external information in 68.1% of the questions. The utilization of logical reasoning (p < 0.001), internal information (p = 0.004) and external information (p = 0.009) was greater among correct responses than incorrect responses. Informational fallacy was the most common shortcoming of ChatGPT's responses. There was no difference in correct responses based on whether or not an image was present (p = 0.320).

Conclusions

ChatGPT demonstrates logical, informational and explicit fallacies which, at this time, may lead to misinformation and hinder resident education.

Level of Evidence

Level V.
Hippocampal Lesions in Male Rats Produce Retrograde Memory Loss for Over‐Trained Spatial Memory but Do Not Impact Appetitive‐Contextual Memory: Implications for Theories of Memory Organization in the Mammalian Brain
Authors: Hong Nancy S. , Lee J. Quinn , Bonifacio Charithe J. T. , Gibb Mason J. , Kent Megan , Nixon Abigail , Panjwani Maleeha , Robinson Danika , Rusnak Valeria , Trudel Tyler , Vos Jessica , McDonald Robert J.
Published: January 2025

Evidence suggests that hippocampal (HPC) disruption following learning produces retrograde amnesia on a range of tasks. Many of these tasks do not require HPC function in the anterograde direction suggesting that, in the intact brain, the HPC is actively involved during all forms of learning. However, prior work has also demonstrated double dissociations of HPC and amygdala function, which is inconsistent with this view. Here, we aim to understand this discrepancy by assessing the effects of neurotoxic lesions of the HPC on anterograde and retrograde amnesia for conditioned place preference (CPP). This task is dependent on a network centered on the basolateral amygdala and not the HPC. The results show that extensive HPC damage had no impact on the acquisition or expression of CPP. One explanation for this result is that the task requires multiple, distributed training sessions for conditioning to emerge, and it has been proposed that this parameter may eliminate the need for HPC to support memory. To test this, we completed experiments to probe place learning in the Morris water task, which is thought to always require HPC function, but implemented an over‐training procedure before HPC damage. We found that rats were severely impaired suggesting that this task parameter does not always allow non‐HPC networks to support learning. Finally, an experiment was designed to test whether memories acquired by distinct memory networks on the same days, within hours of one another, would be linked in HPC. The results showed that they remained independent of one another.
Interdecadal Change in the Interannual Relationship Between the Summer Precipitation in the Arid Region of Northwest China With North African Subtropical High and Western Pacific Subtropical High
Authors: Yuan Yujun , Zhao Yong , Meng Lixia
Published: January 2025

The zonal movement of both the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and the North African subtropical high (NASH) correlates well with the summer precipitation in the arid region of Northwest China (ARNWC), but there is not enough understanding of the interdecadal change in the interannual relationship between the zonal position linkage of the two subtropical highs and summer precipitation in the ARNWC under different interdecadal backgrounds. Based on the observed precipitation data at 101 stations in the ARNWC, the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, and Hadley Centre surface sea temperature (SST) data for 1961–2022, the interdecadal change in the interannual relationship between the zonal position linkage of the two subtropical highs and summer precipitation in the ARNWC is investigated. Results show that the summer precipitation has experienced two distinct periods (dry period: 1961–1986; wet period: 1987–2022), and the zonal position linkage of the two subtropical highs correlates well with the summer precipitation in the eastern part of the ARNWC in the dry period and the Tarim Basin in the wet period, respectively. When the NASH and the WPSH move in opposite directions, the water vapour is directly (indirectly) transported from the eastern Asian monsoon region (tropical Indo‐Pacific Ocean) in the dry (wet) period. The Asian‐Pacific Oscillation (APO) and the sea surface temperature (SST) in the Indo‐Pacific warm pool both contribute to the zonal movement of the two subtropical highs in the dry period, but in the wet period, only the SST in the Indo‐Pacific warm pool plays an important role in modulating the zonal position linkage of the NASH and the WPSH.
Highly Emissive Organic Cuprous Halides with [Cu4Br6]2− Unit for X‐Ray Imaging
Authors: Zhu Yongkang , Liang Xin , Zhao Xiaodong , Cui Haixia , Yu Aoxi , Zhang Kenneth Yin , Liu Shujuan , Wang Feng , Zhao Qiang
Published: January 2025

Organic‐inorganic hybrid cuprous halides (OHCHs) are intriguing candidates for the next generation of scintillators due to their environmental friendliness, simple preparation, and excellent luminescent properties. Herein, a series of efficient OHCHs based on inorganic building blocks [Cu4Br6]2− clusters, designated as (TMAA)2Cu4Br6, (EtTPPh)2Cu4Br6, and (MtTBA)2Cu4Br6 (TMAA = N,N,N‐trimethyltrimethyl‐1‐adamantylammonium; EtTPPh = ethyltriphenylphosphonium; MtTBA = methyltri‐n‐butylammonium), are synthesized via a simple solution method. The three OHCHs exhibit broadband yellow emissions. Remarkably, the 0D (TMAA)2Cu4Br6 shows a near‐unity photoluminescence quantum yield, which can be attributed to the highly localized excitons and rigid environment. Impressively, it is demonstrated to show excellent scintillation performance with a high light yield of 46700 photon MeV−1 and a low detection limit of 56.12 nGyairs−1. Photophysical studies reveal that the bright emission in (TMAA)2Cu4Br6 originates from self‐trapped excitons. This work opens an inspirational avenue in structure design for OHCHs as high‐performance X‐ray scintillators.
Pricing Considering Quality: A Strategy Analysis of Payment Forms
Authors: Fang Lei , Li Yanlin , Govindan Kannan
Published: January 2025

We analyze three business models for electric vehicle power battery use: (1) pure selling strategy, (2) pure leasing strategy, and (3) innovative hybrid strategy where both the selling and leasing services are provided by one monopoly firm simultaneously. The firm decides the power battery quality. We demonstrate that the relative profitability of the monopoly firm's different strategies hinges on the customer's psychological cost and the leasing product's supply–demand ratio. Counterintuitively, for the monopoly firm, when product quality is endogenous, the hybrid strategy is not always more profitable than the pure selling strategy, which differs from the previous studies.
Back electron transfer
Authors: Næsborg Line
Published: January 2025

Some photochemical synthesis methods are hampered by back electron transfer, an unproductive relaxation pathway. To prevent this, scientists have identified strategies to promote productive reaction steps: these include leaving groups, redox auxiliaries, and electrostatic interactions.
Meilensteine der Chemie 2025
Authors: Remane Yvonne , Reschetilowski Wladimir
Published: January 2025

Ein Blick in den historischen Chemiekalender: Faraday entdeckt Benzol in einer verstopften Gasleitung; Lecoq de Boisbaudran schließt eine Lücke im Periodensystem. Die I.G. Farben gründet sich, und das Patent auf die Fischer‐Tropsch‐Synthese wird angemeldet.
Evaluation of Modified Guar Gum as Polymer for Electrospun Nanofibrous Film
Authors: Sharma Rashmi , Singh Vikramjeet , Ahuja Munish
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to fabricate metoclopramide‐loaded nanofibers based on esterified guar gum using electrospinning. Guar gum was chemically modified through esterification, with structural changes confirmed via 1H NMR and FT‐IR analyses. Rheological and swelling studies demonstrated that this modification reduced viscosity and swelling capacity, enhancing the polymer's suitability for electrospinning. Polyvinyl alcohol was incorporated as a co‐polymer with the modified guar gum to improve fiber morphology and uniformity. The resulting metoclopramide‐loaded nanofibrous film exhibited an average fiber diameter of 77.43 nm. Physical and mechanical evaluations showed an increase in fiber density in the drug‐loaded samples, attributed to interactions between metoclopramide and the polymer matrix, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in porosity. FT‐IR analysis confirmed successful drug incorporation, while thermal stability was comparable between drug‐loaded and unloaded nanofibers. Comparative in vitro release studies revealed rapid metoclopramide release from the electrospun nanofibrous film within 5 min, whereas the solvent‐cast film achieved 80% drug release in 30 min. These findings highlight the potential of chemically modified guar gum‐based nanofibers for fast and efficient drug delivery, indicating their broader applicability in pharmaceutical and nanomaterial‐based technologies.
Associating regulatory actions on diclofenac use with Danish trends in utilization by route of administration 1999–2023
Authors: Møller Anna Emilie , Bech‐Drewes Anne , Rasmussen Lotte , Friis Søren , Schmidt Morten
Published: January 2025

Aims

With the growing evidence of cardiovascular risks associated with diclofenac use, regulatory measures governing its application and sales have intensified since 2008. We evaluated the association between central regulatory actions and trends in diclofenac use in Denmark from 1999 to 2023, according to different dosage forms and routes of administration.

Methods and Results

Data on diclofenac sales in Denmark from 1999 to 2023 were retrieved from the publicly available web database MEDSTAT, based on the Danish Register of Medicinal Products Statistics. The annual sales of various diclofenac dosage forms, including systemic (tablets, modified‐release dosage forms, and suppositories) and topical (nonspecific and ophthalmic) dosage forms, were calculated and displayed by sales unit.

From 1999 to 2008, sales of all systemically administered diclofenac forms increased: tablets by 51% (2000–2008), modified‐release dosage forms by 40% (2003–2007), and suppositories by 44% (1999–2008). Thereafter, sales of tablets declined by 86% and modified‐release dosage forms by 90% through 2023. The sales of suppositories declined somewhat lesser, by 34%, during 2008 to 2018 and then increased by 67% through 2023. Sales of nonspecific topical diclofenac increased by several thousandfold from 2005, although with brief periods of decline.

Conclusion

Sales of systemically administered diclofenac dosage forms, particularly tablets and modified‐release drugs, declined by approximately 90% from about 2008 to 2023, indicating compliance with Danish and international regulatory actions. Conversely, sales of topically administered diclofenac increased heavily from 2005 to 2023, denoting a policy‐driven shift toward these lower risk dosage forms.
Gläser und Flaschen als Helmholtz‐Resonatoren
Authors: Kasper Lutz , Vogt Patrik
Published: January 2025

Die Schallgeschwindigkeit in Luft lässt sich nicht nur beim Entkorken einer Weinflasche bestimmen, wie kürzlich hier gezeigt. Es geht auch in einem Rotweinglas und einer bereits offenen Weinflasche.
Prediction of Epitaxial Interfaces for Mn2GaC MAX Phase Thin Films with Various Substrates
Authors: Tarasov Ivan , Visotin Maxim , Nazarova Zoya , Nazarov Alexander , Varnakov Sergey , Ovchinnikov Sergey
Published: January 2025

The epitaxial alignment of Mn2GaC MAX phase on 12 common single‐crystalline substrates is analyzed through a crystallographical approach utilizing near‐coincidence site lattices. This method effectively predicts epitaxial relationships in MAX phase thin films grown on (111) and (001), as well as prospective rutile, muscovite, and substrates, highlighting the chemical affinities and atomic configurations at their interfaces. Novel epitaxial relationships for Mn2GaC MAX phase are identified, offering alternatives to the traditional (001) out‐of‐plane orientation and exploring variations in epitaxial lattice stress. Additionally, this study examines the temperature dependence of interface strain for the most promising orientation relationship candidates, offering insights into the effect of substrate temperature on the growth of the MAX phase thin films.
Plant‐Derived Treatments for Different Types of Muscle Atrophy
Authors: Wang Xingpeng , Tang Xiaofu , Wang Yunhui , Zhao Shengyin , Xu Ning , Wang Haoyu , Kuang Mingjie , Han Shijie , Jiang Zhensong , Zhang Wen
Published: January 2025

With the development of medicine and chemistry, an increasing number of plant‐derived medicines have been shown to exert beneficial therapeutic on the treatment of various physical and psychological diseases. In particular, by using physical chemistry methods, we are able to examine the chemical components of plants and the effects of these substances on the human body. Muscle atrophy (MA) is characterized by decreased muscle mass and function, is caused by multiple factors and severely affects the quality of life of patients. The multifactorial and complex pathogenesis of MA hinders drug research and disease treatment. However, phytotherapy has achieved significant results in the treatment of MA. We searched PubMed and the Web of Science for articles related to plant‐derived substances and muscle atrophy. After applying exclusion and inclusion criteria, 166 and 79 articles met the inclusion criteria, respectively. A total of 173 articles were included in the study after excluding duplicates. The important role of phytoactives such as curcumin, resveratrol, and ginsenosides in the treatment of MA (e.g., maintaining a positive nitrogen balance in muscles and exerting anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects) has been extensively studied. Unfortunately, MA dose not have to a single cause, and each cause has its own unique mechanism of injury. This review focuses on the therapeutic mechanisms of active plant components in MA and provides insights into the personalized treatment of MA.
Precision Medicine for Pulmonary Vascular Disease: The Future Is Now (2023 Grover Conference Series)
Authors: Forbes Lindsay M. , Bauer Natalie , Bhadra Aritra , Bogaard Harm J. , Choudhary Gaurav , Goss Kara N. , Gräf Stefan , Heresi Gustavo A. , Hopper Rachel K. , Jose Arun , Kim Yunhye , Klouda Timothy , Lahm Tim , Lawrie Allan , Leary Peter J. , Leopold Jane A. , Oliveira Suellen D. , Prisco Sasha Z. , Rafikov Ruslan , Rhodes Christopher J. , Stewart Duncan J. , Vanderpool Rebecca R. , Yuan Ke , Zimmer Alexsandra , Hemnes Anna R. , de Jesus Perez Vinicio A. , Wilkins Martin R.
Published: January 2025

Pulmonary vascular disease is not a single condition; rather it can accompany a variety of pathologies that impact the pulmonary vasculature. Applying precision medicine strategies to better phenotype, diagnose, monitor, and treat pulmonary vascular disease is increasingly possible with the growing accessibility of powerful clinical and research tools. Nevertheless, challenges exist in implementing these tools to optimal effect. The 2023 Grover Conference Series reviewed the research landscape to summarize the current state of the art and provide a better understanding of the application of precision medicine to managing pulmonary vascular disease. In particular, the following aspects were discussed: (1) Clinical phenotypes, (2) genetics, (3) epigenetics, (4) biomarker discovery, (5) application of precision biology to clinical trials, (6) the right ventricle (RV), and (7) integrating precision medicine to clinical care. The present review summarizes the content of these discussions and the prospects for the future.
Community Social Sustainability: Unpacking the Concept for Urban Governance and Planning
Authors: Hofstad Hege , Dahl Christel , Følling Kjersti , Mouratidis Kostas , Olsen Bent Olav , Sagen Stine Busborg , Zeiner Hilde Hatleskog
Published: January 2025

Research on social sustainability has revealed a persistent knowledge gap concerning how to institutionalize social sustainability into urban governance and planning. New knowledge capable of operationalizing social sustainability to concrete community settings and identifying how governance and planning can help building socially sustainable trajectories are needed. This inspires us to develop a typology of community social sustainability coupling relevant theory and new and extensive empirical data. At the heart of the typology are three theoretically derived foundational characteristics—neighborhood robustness, access to every‐day services, and governance structures—encompassing the most essential aspects of community social sustainability. When exploring them empirically, we find that their realization depends on joint contribution from multiple actors. The next layer of the typology thus identifies four supportive conditions strengthening the local capability to address, prioritize and build neighborhood robustness, relevant services, and governance structures. The paper ends with a guide for future research and practice.
Demonstration of Enhancement of Tumor Intravasation by Dicarbonyl Stress Using a Microfluidic Organ‐on‐chip
Authors: Kumar Nilesh , Samanta Bidita , KM Jyothsna , Raghunathan Varun , Sen Prosenjit , Bhat Ramray
Published: January 2025

Cancer metastasis involves cell migration from their primary organ foci into vascular channels, followed by dissemination to prospective colonization sites. Vascular entry of tumor cells or intravasation involves their breaching stromal and endothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) and the endothelial barriers. How the kinetics of this breach are confounded by chronic inflammatory stresses seen in diabetes and aging remains ill‐investigated. To study the problem, a histopathology‐motivated, imaging‐tractable, microfluidic multi‐organ‐on‐chip platform is constructed, that seamlessly integrates a breast tumor‐like compartment: invasive MDA‐MB‐231 in a 3D Collagen I scaffold, and a flow‐implemented vascular channel: immortalized human aortic endothelia (TeloHAEC) on laminin‐rich basement membrane (lrBM). The chip showcases the complexity of intravasation, wherein tumor cells and endothelia cooperate to form anastomotic structures, which facilitate cancer cell migration into the vascular channel. Upon entry, cancer cells adhere to and flow within the vascular channel. Exposure to methylglyoxal (MG), a dicarbonyl stressor associated with diabetic circulatory milieu increases cancer cell intravasation and adhesion through the vascular channel. This can be driven by MG‐induced endothelial senescence and shedding, but also by the ability of MG to degrade lrBM and pathologically cross‐link Collagen I, diminishing cell‐ECM adhesion. Thus, dicarbonyl stress attenuates homeostatic barriers to cancer intravasation, exacerbating metastasis.
A Rapid Methodology to Obtain Silver Selenide thin Films with Highly Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Román‐Varela Carlos Augusto Martín , Calixto Ma. Estela , Diliegros‐Godines Carolina Janani , Bustamante Alexandra , ÁngelContreras‐Ruiz Miguel , Soucase BernabéMari , Shafi Ullah
Published: January 2025

Metal chalcogenides have been extensively studied for thermoelectric applications. Among other metal chalcogenides, silver selenide (Ag2Se) is considered one of the most promising n‐type semiconducting materials for thermoelectric applications due to its low band gap value, Seebeck coefficient, and superior power factor (PF) rendered at room temperature. However, one of the main drawbacks of using Ag2Se as a thermoelectric material on a large scale is the time‐consuming physical methods to obtain them, and the need for high vacuum synthesis conditions as well as high‐cost. On the contrary, the electrodeposition route offers a fast, low‐cost, reliable, eco‐friendly, and reproducible synthesis methodology to obtain β‐Ag2Se thin films, avoiding the use of high vacuum, which is especially important for scaling up to industrial processing levels. In this study, a facile and rapid strategy is reported to obtain β‐Ag2Se thin films with controlled thickness using an electrodeposition technique. As‐electrodeposited β‐Ag2Se film with a thickness of 740 nm delivered a PF = 5.59 µW cm−1 K2, while an 880 nm β‐Ag2Se film annealed at 210 °C exhibits a higher PF = 11.69 µW cm−1 K2. The results demonstrate a rapid preparation of high purity β‐Ag2Se thin film with superior thermoelectric performance, provides potential opportunities in the development of efficient thermoelectric devices.
Enigma of Sustainable CO2 Conversion to Renewable Fuels and Chemicals Through Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis, and Photoelectrocatalysis: Design Strategies and Atomic Level Insights
Authors: Suri Diksha , Das Srimanta , Choudhary Shivani , Venkanna Guguloth , Sharma Bhavna , Afroz Mohammad Adil , Tailor Naveen K. , Joshi Rakesh , Satapathi Soumitra , Tripathi Komal
Published: January 2025

Growing global population, escalating energy consumption, and climate change threaten future energy security. Fossil fuel combustion, primarily coal, oil, and natural gas, exacerbates the greenhouse effect driving global warming through CO2 emissions. To address such issues, research is focused on converting CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals, which aims to reduce noxious CO2 and simultaneously bridge the gap between energy demands and sustainable supply. CO2 reduction has primarily been accomplished through three methodologies: photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photo‐electrocatalysis. Review initially elucidates fundamental principles and kinetics that govern CO2 reduction across all three approaches. Subsequently, we have discussed emerging concepts such as role of hot carriers and plasmon‐mediated processes in photocatalysis. In electrocatalysis process, we thoroughly discuss advanced design strategies including alloying, ligand‐modified surfaces, and molecular tuning to regulate the specific nanostructures of metal‐based compounds. Furthermore, it investigates impacts of distinct nanostructures to identify structure property‐performance correlations and their mechanisms. Similarly, enhancement of photo‐electrocatalytic efficiency is investigated using defect‐engineered nanostructures, heterojunctions, and plasmonic metals. Finally, the review outlines potential and intricacies associated with design strategies to drive industrial‐scale CO2 reduction. In summary, this comprehensive review offers a thorough analysis of current advances, challenges, and future perspectives for CO2 reduction to valuable products.
In Situ Integration of Metallic Catalytic Sites and Photosensitive Centers within Covalent Organic Frameworks for the Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2
Authors: Liu Jiaying , Li Jingjun , Lin Zujin , Ye Shihua , Lin Wenlie , Yang Xue , Gao Shui‐Ying , Cao Rong
Published: January 2025

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a promising platform for heterogeneous photocatalysis due to their stability and design diversity, but their potential is often restricted by unmanageable targeted excitation and charge transfer. Herein, a bimetallic COF integrating photosensitizers and catalytic sites is designed to facilitate locally ultrafast charge transfer, aiming to improve the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. The strategy uses a “one‐pot” method to synthesize the bimetallic COF (termed PBCOFRuRe) through in situ Schiff‐base condensation of Pyrene with MBpy (M = Ru, Re) units. In this structure, Ru and Re are anchored within bipyridine as the photosensitive center and catalytic site, respectively. The bimetallic architecture of PBCOFRuRe significantly boosts the photocatalytic efficiency for CO2 reduction, achieving an impressive CO yield of 8306.6 µmol g−1 h−1 with 99.8% selectivity, surpassing most reported COF materials. This improvement is attributed to the localized ultrafast charge transfer (0.23 ps) from Ru to Re, as demonstrated by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). Further investigations demonstrate its heterogeneous feature, showcasing exceptional long‐term stability and recyclability. This study represents a versatile approach for designing bimetallic COFs with ultrafast charge transfer, paving the pathway for advancements in artificial photosynthesis.
Skin‐Mountable Thermo‐responsive Structured Hydrogel for Optical and Adhesion Coupled Functional Sensing
Authors: Xu Xinqiang , Lyu Yang , Liu Di , Shi Xinyan , Ji Zhongying , Liu Desheng , Jia Xin , Wang Xiaolong
Published: January 2025

Smart hydrogel sensors with intrinsic responsiveness, such as pH, temperature, humidity, and other external stimuli, possess broad applications in innumerable fields such as biomedical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and wearable electronics. However, it remains a great challenge to develop wearable structural hydrogels that possess simultaneously body temperature‐responsive, adhesion‐adaptable, and transparency‐tunable. Herein, an innovative skin‐mountable thermo‐responsive hydrogel is fabricated, which endows tunable optical properties and switchable adhesion properties at different temperatures. Interestingly, it is able to exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) to adapt to the human body temperature by altering the acrylic acid(AAc) content in the hydrogel network. The hydrogel also displays high transparency and strong adhesion at low temperatures, while it becomes opaque and feeble adhesion at high temperatures. Furthermore, a wearable and highly sensitive hydrogel sensor array structure is constructed by harnessing vat photopolymerization three‐dimensional (3D) printing. As a proof of concept, a wearable hydrogel sensor attached to the back of the human hand is capable of detecting simultaneously temperature and strain differences, and also integrating high‐temperature monitoring and alarm functions with visual transparency alteration. This work provides an advanced manner to fabricate structured responsive hydrogels, which have potential application prospects in the field of smart medical patches and wearable devices.
Targeted Nanoprobes Enabled Precision Theranostics in Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Ma Ke , Yin Meng , Chen Ke‐Zheng , Qiao Sheng‐Lin
Published: January 2025

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a highly aggressive and prognostically unfavorable subtype of breast cancer, characterized by the absence of common hormone receptors, which renders conventional therapies largely ineffective. This review comprehensively examines the molecular and clinical characteristics of TNBC, underscoring the substantial challenges inherent in its treatment and the innovative potential of targeted nanoprobes in advancing both diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms. Through the modification of targeting molecules, nanoprobes can deliver therapeutic agents highly specific to TNBC cells, thus significantly improving the sensitivity of diagnostic modalities and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Our discussion systematically explores the application of various targeting molecules and their advantages and limitations. In addition, this review presents a series of multifunctional targeted nanoprobes that are designed to perform both diagnostic and therapeutic functions, thus providing a synergistic approach to the treatment of TNBC. These advanced nanoprobes enable precise tumor localization while monitoring the therapeutic response in real time, thus facilitating a more personalized and dynamic treatment regimen. The major obstacles encountered during clinical translation are discussed in detail. The use of targeted nanoprobes represents a major leap forward in personalized medicine for TNBC, and current research efforts will continue to refine these technologies to improve clinical applicability.
Second-hand Luxury for Generations Y and Z: Embracing Responsible Consumption or Hunting for Luxury Brand Treasures? An Analysis from France Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Walser-Luchesi Agnès , Furst Anne-Catherine , Rabeson Landisoa
Published: January 2025

This book chapter focuses on the responsible consumption behavior of young individuals from Generations Y and Z and on the commitment of luxury companies to the sustainability of their products. The objective of this research is to understand the gap between the intention to engage in the responsible consumption of second-hand luxury goods and the actual act of purchasing them. We use the theory of planned behavior to analyze the factors that explain the intentions of younger generations to acquire such goods. The results of our quantitative study indicate that: (1) attitude to second-hand luxury goods, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control have a significant influence on the intention to purchase; (2) the perception of quality associated with second-hand luxury goods has the strongest impact on attitude to them; and (3) the consumption of second-hand luxury goods does not represent a form of pro-environmental behavior within the age group studied. However, purchasing second-hand luxury goods is associated with acquiring high quality, timeless products and the desire to access a luxury brand. This is further influenced by a feeling of treasure hunting.
Holographic mean field theory and Kondo lattice
Authors: Han Young-Kwon , Ghorai Debabrata , Yuk Taewon , Sin Sang-Jin
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We first study a non-relativistic field theory model for the Kondo lattice by introducing the Kondo condensation, whose main effect is the hybridization of the flat band of the localized electron with dispersive one of the itinerant electron. The problem here is that the resulting Kondo condensation arises only in strong coupling where the validity of the mean field theory is questionable. Therefore, we build a holographic mean field theory of the Kondo lattice with strong coupling by identifying the effect of the lattice with the fermion’s spectral shape due to the coupling with the order parameter representing the symmetry breaking. For the flat band spectrum we use the mixed quantization, and for the dispersive spectrum we intoduce the second fermion in standard quantization. The coupling of the two fermions with the scalar order representing the Kondo condensation provides the hybrization of the two spectrum, reproducing the main feature of the Kondo lattice together with the fuzzy character of the spectrum of the strongly coupled system.
SL2(ℝ) symmetries of SymTFT and non-invertible U(1) symmetries of Maxwell theory
Authors: Hasan Azeem , Meynet Shani , Migliorati Daniele
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Recent proposals for the Symmetry Topological Filed Theory (SymTFT) of Maxwell theory admit a 0-form symmetry compatible with the classical SL2(ℝ) duality of electromagnetism. We describe how to realize these automorphisms of the SymTFT in terms of its operators and we describe their effects on the dynamical theory and its global variants. In the process, we show that the classical U(1) symmetry, corresponding to the stabilizer of SL2(ℝ), can be restored as a non-invertible one, by means of an infinite series of discrete gauging. This provide an example of the reemergence of a classical symmetry in the quantum regime, which was not broken by anomalies, but rather by the quantization of electromagnetic fluxes. However, this procedure comes at the price of introducing “continuous” condensates that trivialize all line operators.
An interacting, higher derivative, boundary conformal field theory
Authors: Herzog Christopher P. , Zhou Yanjun
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We consider a higher derivative scalar field theory in the presence of a boundary and a classically marginal interaction. We first investigate the free limit where the scalar obeys the square of the Klein-Gordon equation. In precisely d = 6 dimensions, modules generated by d − 2 and d − 4 dimensional primaries merge to form a staggered module. We compute the conformal block associated with this module and show that it is a generalized eigenvector of the Casimir operator. Next we include the effect of a classically marginal interaction that involves four scalar fields and two derivatives. The theory has an infrared fixed point in d = 6 − ϵ dimensions. We compute boundary operator anomalous dimensions and boundary OPE coefficients at leading order in the ϵ expansion for the allowed conformal boundary conditions.
The Standard Model quark/lepton masses and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mixing in an SU(8) theory
Authors: Chen Ning , Mao Ying-nan , Teng Zhaolong
Published: January 2025

Abstract

The observed Standard Model (SM) quark/lepton mass hierarchies and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) mixing pattern are described in an SU(8) theory through its realistic symmetry breaking pattern with three intermediate stages, which rely on a set of d = 5 gravity-induced operators that break the emergent global symmetries in the chiral fermion sector, as well as the precise identifications of all non-trivially embedded SM flavors.
Vertex algebra constructions for (analytic) geometric Langlands in genus zero
Authors: Gaiotto Davide
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We employ two-dimensional chiral algebra techniques to produce solutions of certain differential and integral equations which occur in the context of the Analytic Geometric Langlands Program. In particular, we build “Multiplication Kernels” K3(x, x′, x′′) which intertwine the action of $$ \mathfrak{s}{\mathfrak{l}}_2 $$
s

l
2

Gaudin Hamiltonians on three sets of variables.
Universal bounds on CFT Distance Conjecture
Authors: Ooguri Hirosi , Wang Yifan
Published: January 2025

Abstract

For any unitary conformal field theory in two dimensions with the central charge c, we prove that, if there is a nontrivial primary operator whose conformal dimension ∆ vanishes in some limit on the conformal manifold, the Zamolodchikov distance t to the limit is infinite, the approach to this limit is exponential ∆ = exp(−αt + O(1)), and the decay rate obeys the universal bounds c−1/2 ≤ α ≤ 1. In the limit, we also find that an infinite tower of primary operators emerges without a gap above the vacuum and that the conformal field theory becomes locally a tensor product of a sigma-model in the large radius limit and a compact theory. As a corollary, we establish a part of the Distance Conjecture about gravitational theories in three-dimensional anti-de Sitter space. In particular, our bounds on α indicate that the emergence of exponentially light states is inevitable as the moduli field corresponding to t rolls beyond the Planck scale along the steepest path and that this phenomenon can begin already at the curvature scale of the bulk geometry. We also comment on implications of our bounds for gravity in asymptotically flat spacetime by taking the flat space limit and compare with the Sharpened Distance Conjecture.
Higher twist corrections to doubly-charmed baryonic B decays
Authors: Rui Zhou , Zou Zhi-Tian , Li Ying
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Baryonic two-body B mesons decays have been measured experimentally for some time, which provides an excellent ground for studying the QCD of baryonic B decays. In this work, we investigate the two-body doubly-charmed baryonic B decays in the perturbative QCD (PQCD) approach including higher twist contributions to the light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs). The charmed baryon LCDAs are included up to the twist four and the effect of the subleading component of the B meson LCDAs is studied for details. With the inclusion of these higher-power contributions, the PQCD results on rates can explain the current experimental data well. Moreover, we note that the SU(3) symmetry breaking is important in the concerned processes and play an essential role in understanding the measurements of $$ \mathcal{B}\left({\overline{B}}^0\to {\Lambda}_c^{+}{\overline{\Lambda}}_c^{-}\right) $$
B

B
¯

0

→

Λ
c
+

Λ
¯

c
−

and $$ \mathcal{B}\left({B}^{-}\to {\Xi}_c^0{\overline{\Lambda}}_c^{-}\right) $$
B

B
−

→

Ξ
c
0

Λ
¯

c
−

. We also evaluate the angular asymmetries for the first time, which have neither been measured experimentally nor calculated theoretically. All these predictions can be tested in future.
New approach to strongly coupled $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM via integrability
Authors: Ekhammar Simon , Gromov Nikolay , Ryan Paul
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Finding a systematic expansion of the spectrum of free superstrings on AdS5 × S5, or equivalently strongly coupled $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM in the planar limit, remains an outstanding challenge. No first principle string theory methods are readily available, instead the sole tool at our disposal is the integrability-based Quantum Spectral Curve (QSC). For example, through the QSC the first five orders in the strong coupling expansion of the conformal dimension of an infinite family of short operators have been obtained. However, when using the QSC at strong coupling one must often rely on numerics, and the existing methods for solving the QSC rapidly lose precision as we approach the strong coupling regime.

In this paper, we introduce a new framework that utilises a novel set of QSC variables with a regular strong coupling expansion. We demonstrate how to use this approach to construct a new numerical algorithm that remains stable even at a ’t Hooft coupling as large as 106 (or g ~ 100).

Employing this approach, we derive new analytic results for some states in the $$ \mathfrak{sl}(2) $$
sl

2

sector and beyond. We present a new analytic prediction for a coefficient in the strong coupling expansion of the conformal dimension for the lowest trajectory at a given twist L. For non-lowest trajectories, we uncover a novel feature of mixing with operators outside the $$ \mathfrak{sl}(2) $$
sl

2

sector, which manifests as a new type of analytic dependence on the twist.
Constraining the UV with the electroweak effective action
Authors: Kuntz Iberê , Malagi Amanda
Published: January 2025

Abstract

By considering an arbitrary bare action describing BSM physics, we use the Barvinsky-Vilkovisky resummation to obtain the most general non-local electroweak effective action at second order in the field strength. We also include the contribution of the functional measure to the effective action, which is found to modify the Higgs potential by shifting its vacuum value. The resulting effective action provides one-loop corrections to the W and Z boson masses, ultimately leading to the most general expression for the ρ parameter at one-loop. The functional measure plays a pivotal role as it allows the parameterization of ρ in inverse powers of the scale of new physics, while containing non-local form factors. The comparison of ρ with the latest data leads to several constraints on the UV particle spectra of BSM models.