bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Need and Challenges in Establishing Newborn Screening Programs for Inherited Metabolic Disorders in Developing Countries
Authors: Wasim Muhammad , Khan Haq Nawaz , Ayesha Hina , Awan Fazli Rabbi
Published: April 2023

Even in this post genomic era, no national level newborn screening (NBS) programs for inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are yet available in several developing countries including Pakistan. Through NBS, various IEMs can be screened using minute quantities of biofluids. Targeted metabolomics and genomic techniques are the main approaches used for NBS. However, lack of technical expertise and such high‐end “omics” based analytical facilities, and meager funding for healthcare in developing countries are the major reasons for unavailability of NBS programs. As it is reflected by only a handful reports about IEMs from Pakistan with population of ≈220 million and consanguinity rate of about 70%, which suggests an unmet need for an NBS program owing to reasonably high prevalence of inherited diseases. Around 200 IEMs are potentially treatable if diagnosed at an earlier stage through biochemical marker and genetic screening, so such patients can get benefit from the NBS program. This overview will help to persuade the stakeholders to setup NBS programs in developing countries including Pakistan, due to multitude of benefits for IEMs; timely diagnosis and early treatment can help the patients to live a nearly healthy life, reduced suffering of the family and minimal burden on society or national healthcare system.
Polymeric Phthalocyanine‐Based Nanosensitizers for Enhanced Photodynamic and Sonodynamic Therapies
Authors: Liu Shuxin , Ma Jinjuan , Xue Evelyn Y. , Wang Shaolei , Zheng Yubin , Ng Dennis K. P. , Wang Aiguo , Zheng Nan
Published: April 2023

Photodynamic therapy and sonodynamic therapy are two highly promising modalities for cancer treatment. The latter holds an additional advantage in deep‐tumor therapy owing to the deep penetration of the ultrasonic radiation. The therapeutic efficacy depends highly on the photo/ultrasound‐responsive properties of the sensitizers as well as their tumor‐localization property and pharmacokinetics. A novel nanosensitizer system based on a polymeric phthalocyanine (pPC‐TK) is reported herein in which the phthalocyanine units are connected with cleavable thioketal linkers. Such polymer could self‐assemble in water forming nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic diameter of 48 nm. The degradable and flexible thioketal linkers could effectively inhibit the π–π stacking of the phthalocyanine units, rendering the resulting nanoparticles an efficient generator of reactive oxygen species upon light or ultrasonic irradiation. The nanosensitizer could be internalized into cancer cells readily, inducing cell death by efficient photodynamic and sonodynamic effects. The potency is significantly higher than that of the monomeric phthalocyanine (PC‐4COOH). The nanosensitizer could also effectively inhibit the growth of tumor in liver tumor‐bearing mice by these two therapies without causing noticeable side effects. More importantly, it could also retard the growth of a deep‐located orthotopic liver tumor in vivo by sonodynamic therapy.
Approaches to Improving the Selectivity of Nanozymes
Authors: Somerville Samuel V. , Li Qinyu , Wordsworth Johanna , Jamali Sina , Eskandarian Mohammad Reza , Tilley Richard D. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: April 2023

Nanozymes mimic enzymes and that includes their selectivity. To achieve selectivity, significant inspiration for nanoparticle design can come from the geometric and molecular features that make enzymes selective catalysts. The two central features enzymes use are control over the arrangement of atoms in the active site and the placing of the active site down a nanoconfined substrate channel. The implementation of enzyme‐inspired features has already been shown to both improve activity and selectivity of nanoparticles for a variety of catalytic and sensing applications. The tuning and control of active sites on metal nanoparticle surfaces ranges from simply changing the composition of the surface metal to sophisticated approaches such as the immobilization of single atoms on a metal substrate. Molecular frameworks provide a powerful platform for the implementation of isolated and discrete active sites while unique diffusional environments further improve selectivity. The implementation of nanoconfined substrate channels around these highly controlled active sites offers further ability to control selectivity through altering the solution environment and transport of reactants and products. Implementing these strategies together offers a unique opportunity to improve nanozyme selectivity in both sensing and catalysis.
NIR‐II Light Accelerated Prodrug Reduction of Pt(IV)‐Incorporating Pseudo Semiconducting Polymers for Robust Degradation and Maximized Photothermal/Chemo‐Immunotherapy
Authors: Tang Dongsheng , Zhou Huiling , Cui Minhui , Liang Ganghao , Zhang Hanchen , Xiao Haihua
Published: April 2023

Selective activation of Pt(IV) prodrugs within tumors is particularly attractive because of their low damage to normal tissues. However, current common activation via chemical/photoreduction of Pt(IV) prodrugs into Pt(II) counterparts is limited by undesirable spatial–temporal control over this reduction process and the ineffective tissue penetration depth of undesirable light. Here, a pseudo‐conjugated‐polymer is designed via Stille polymerization, resulting in PSP‐Pt with a Pt(IV) prodrug of oxaliplatin (Oxa(IV)) in the polymer main chain that can be activated by NIR‐II light. PSP‐Pt can co‐assemble with a commercially available lipid polymer, namely mPEG2k‐DSPE, into NPPSP‐Pt. Under 1064 nm light irradiation, NPPSP‐Pt can be photoactivated to accelerate the Pt(IV) reduction to release oxaliplatin, thereby killing the cancer cells by photothermal effect and chemo‐immunotherapy inside a mouse model with CT26 colon cancer. This work reports the application of NIR‐II light for accelerating Pt(IV) reduction for cancer tumor therapy.
Facile and Controllable Ultrasonic Nebulization Method for Fabricating Ti3C2Tx‐Based Strain Sensor and Monitoring of Human Motion and Sound Wave
Authors: Qu Danyao , Li Zekun , Liu Mengge , Jiang Xue , Jian Yingying , Peng Gang , Yang Peixin , Feng Huanran , Wang Tianliang , Hu Wenwen , Du Tao , Wu Weiwei
Published: April 2023

Flexible and wearable electronic devices hold great potential in electronic skins, health monitoring systems and soft robotics. Among them, flexible strain sensors with high performance are key components for wearable health monitoring devices. However, the facile and controllable preparation of highly sensitive sensors still faces significant challenges. By virtue of excellent conductivity of 2D transition metal carbids (MXenes), this work reports a facile and low‐cost fabrication strategy for large‐scale production of strain sensors. The sensitive layer is deposited on flexible interdigital electrodes by ultrasonic nebulization of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. By controlling the nebulization time, different thicknesses of Ti3C2Tx films has a great influence on the performance of strain sensors. The Ti3C2Tx‐based strain sensor exhibits good sensing performances such as high GF (19.1) in the low strain range (≈0.25%–1.14%), short response time (0.7 s), and stable durability (over 1000 cycles). In practice, the potential applications of the strain sensor in sound frequency detection, human physiological signal monitoring and facial expression recognition are demonstrated. Finally, this work integrates the strain sensor with a miniaturized analyzer to assemble a wearable motion monitoring device for mobile healthcare. This study provides a facile strategy for fabricating flexible strain sensors in the field of wearable electronics.
Skin‐Inspired Hierarchical Structure Sensor for Ultrafast Active Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Shen Junhao , Guo Yixin , Fu Tianyu , Yao Shengping , Zhou Jun , Wang Dongfeng , Bi Hengchang , Zuo Shaohua , Wu Xing , Shi Fuwen , Jiang Jinchun , Chu Junhao
Published: April 2023

Biomimetic sensors that mimic human skin perception have received enormous attention in human motion detection and human–robot interaction. However, the narrow working range limits the response linearity of mechanical stimuli. Especially the ultrafast active response is needed to detect and react to the potential collision. Inspired by the skin structure, a hierarchical structure with poly(ethylene oxide)‐based ionic conductive polymer electrolytes and polyurethane is designed. The observable synergistic sensing mechanism works throughout the compression process, providing the device with a continuous change in electrical response with excellent linearity (R2 = 0.998) over a broad range (100 Pa–500 kPa). The compressive deformation and corresponding mechanical behavior of hierarchical structures are dynamically and simultaneously observed by using in situ electron microscopy at the atomistic scale. Furthermore, a biomimetic skin is established in the human–robot interaction system, which can provide active and efficient collision avoidance.
Mechanical Consequences of Oxygen Inhibition in Vat Polymerization
Authors: Saygin Verda , Snapp Kelsey , Gongora Aldair E. , Kolaghassi Rashid , Brown Keith A.
Published: April 2023

Vat polymerization is a type of additive manufacturing that is used extensively to produce micro‐architected structures for mechanical applications, which brings the mechanical properties of photopolymerized resins into sharp focus. However, it is known that photopolymerization is sensitive to a number of factors, perhaps the most notorious of which is oxygen inhibition. Herein, the degree to which oxygen inhibition influences the macroscopic and microscopic properties of structures made using vat polymerization is explored. This work is motivated by an observation of lattices being >4 times softer in the experiment than predicted by simulation, which is hypothesized to be due to the material at the surface being incompletely cured. This hypothesis is supported by four‐point bending tests in which flexural modulus is found to increase with beam thickness. Nanoindentation and bulk compression studies show that this surface softening is present for three distinct resins. Importantly, it is observed that structures post‐print cured in nitrogen are stiffer than those post‐print cured in air, however, regardless of the post‐print curing environment, printing samples in the presence of oxygen makes them softer than samples photocured in nitrogen. Collectively, these results show the outsized influence of oxygen inhibition on micro‐architected structures realized using vat polymerization.
An Electrostatically Actuated Gecko Adhesive Clutch
Authors: Hajj‐Ahmad Amar , Han Amy Kyungwon , Lin Michael A. , Glover Gary H. , Cutkosky Mark R.
Published: April 2023

This work presents a new variation on electrostatic clutches that uses gecko‐inspired adhesives instead of friction for its braking force. As a result, it requires no power or normal pressure to remain engaged or disengaged. It requires only a brief pulse of voltage to switch states. In some applications, this capability is desirable for safety reasons. As an illustration, the clutch is incorporated into the needle‐driving axis of a magnetic resonance compatible teleoperated robotic system. Adding the clutch has no effect on imaging quality and provides a fail‐safe brake to prevent the needle axis from dropping in the event of a power failure. As a second application, the clutch is integrated into a force‐controlled robotic gripper where it allows the motor to be turned off while maintaining a static grasping force. In both applications, the 20 ms response time of the clutch prototypes is advantageous to prevent any motion immediately after receiving a braking command. This work additionally presents details on the design and manufacturing process of the gecko‐inspired clutch, including a new, non‐uniform profile for the microscopic adhesive features. The fabricated prototypes are thin (305 µm per layer) and flexible. They provide a controllable, adhesive braking force of 60 kPa per layer. Multiple layers can be assembled to increase the braking force.
A Stretchable Strain Sensor System for Wireless Measurement of Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Strains
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Bossuyt Fransiska M. , Adam Naomi C. , Zambrano Byron Llerena , Stauffer Flurin , Rennhard Patrick , Gubler Roman , Küng Roland , Abramovic Sarah , Useini Vullnet , Herzog Walter , Leonard Tim , Scott Michael W. , Taylor William R. , Smith Colin R.
Published: April 2023

Measurement of in vivo strain patterns of musculoskeletal soft tissues (MSTs) during functional activities reveals their biomechanical function, supports the identification and understanding of pathologies, and quantifies tissue adaptation during healing. These scientific and clinical insights have motivated the development and application of various strain sensors to quantify MST strains in either intraoperative or dynamic in vivo conditions. In this study, a strain sensor system is developed based on stretchable electronics and radio frequency identification technologies. In this system, a flexible inductor‐capacitor‐resistor sensor is fabricated such that it can be wirelessly excited by a custom‐designed readout box through electronic resonance. The resonant frequency of the sensor changes when the capacitor is stretched, which is then also recorded by the readout box at a sampling rate of 1024 Hz. Suturing the stretchable capacitor onto the MST allows it to be stretched in line with musculoskeletal deformations, hence providing an indirect method to assess strain patterns in vivo. Application of the system ex vivo indicates that the signal remains linear between 0 and 25% strain and is electronically stable in a simulated in vivo environment for one week and over 100 000 cycles of fatigue loadings. The strain sensor exhibits excellent resolution (0.1% strain, ≈9 µm) during wireless strain measurement. Finally, sensor implantation and strain measurement onto the medial gastrocnemius tendon of a sheep indicate that the sensor is able to record repetitive strain patterns in vivo during dynamic movements. This study indicates the potential scientific and clinical applicability in vivo.
Deep‐Red Ca3Al2Ge3O12:Eu3+ Garnet Phosphor with Near‐Unity Internal Quantum Efficiency and High Thermal Stability for Plant Growth Application
Authors: Miao Shihai , Shi Ruiqi , Zhang Yi , Chen Dongxun , Liang Yanjie
Published: April 2023

Trivalent europium (Eu3+) doped phosphors usually radiate orange or red light owing to distinct transitions from the 5D0 excited level to the ground states of 7F1 and 7F2. However, Eu3+ activated phosphors with a dominant deep‐red emission due to 5D0→7F4 transition are relatively rare. In this work, the synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Ca3Al2Ge3O12:Eu3+ deep‐red phosphor with an intense 5D0→7F4 transition are reported. Irradiating this new garnet phosphor with 394 nm near‐ultraviolet light generates a dominant deep‐red emission band centered at 707 nm. The phosphor has a high internal quantum efficiency of 98.4% and excellent luminescence thermal stability, maintaining 78.8% of the room temperature emission intensity at 150 °C. Based on the unique spectral feature of this new compound, a phosphor‐converted deep‐red LED prototype device is fabricated, producing an output power of 27.3 mW with a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 4.0% at 200 mA. Plant growth experiments are also conducted to demonstrate the obvious positive effects of the fabricated deep‐red LED on plant growth, further indicating that the as‐prepared Ca3Al2Ge3O12:Eu3+ deep‐red phosphor can act as a promising luminescence converter for plant growth LED bulbs.
Joint Amplitude‐Phase Metasurface for Polarization‐Selective Dynamic Wavefront Manipulation and Broadband Absorption
Authors: Hu Qi , Yang Jie , Yang Weixu , Qu Kai , Ge Xiansheng , Tang Huaiyu , Zhao Junming , Jiang Tian , Chen Ke , Feng Yijun
Published: April 2023

With modern science and technology developing towards large information capacity and high integration level, anisotropic metasurfaces have emerged as an advanced platform for integrating distinct functionalities and multitasking. Despite the significant progresses, most of the existing polarization‐controlled metasurfaces support phase‐only modulation for dual orthogonal polarization information channels. Herein, a reconfigurable anisotropic metasurface of 576 independent meta‐atoms embedded with diodes and resistors is proposed to enable polarization‐selective amplitude‐phase modulation, which further integrates dynamic wavefront control and broadband energy absorption for two polarization channels with high isolation. As exemplary demonstrations, a series of programmable functionalities have been realized for one polarization channel, including dual‐beam scanning, quad‐beam radiation, and diffusive scattering for far‐field scattering manipulation, as well as reconfigurable focusing for near‐field redistribution. Meanwhile, robust broadband energy absorption has been maintained for the other polarization channel, irrespective of the programmable functionalities. Experiments in the microwave region are carried out to verify the powerful wavefront tailoring ability, and all the measured results are in good consistency with simulated analysis.
Photothermoelectric AZO/SiO2/NiO Device
Authors: Bianchi Catarina , Marques Ana , Ferreira Isabel
Published: April 2023

Transparent‐conductive‐oxide (TCO) materials and transparent devices combining photovoltage and thermoelectric effects are still scarce. Hence, a new transparent‐conductive‐oxide/insulating/transparent‐semiconductor‐oxide (TCO‐I‐TSO) structure combining such effects is developed. It is made of aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO)/SiO2/NiO thin films sequentially deposited on glass substrates. AZO exhibits thermo and photovoltage in response to gradient temperature and absorption of UV photons, while NIR photons absorption in the NiO layer. Photovoltage appears in the plane between the AZO and NiO layer when the whole sample is irradiated with near infrared light, and it also depends on the thickness of the SiO2 layer. This photovoltage is continuously monitored on samples placed in a glass window facing south. Throughout the day, the photovoltage varies from 0 to 300 µV proportionally to the light intensity.
Innervation of Sensing Microchannels for Three‐Dimensional Stimuli Perception
Authors: Fan Dongliang , Zhu Renjie , Yang Xin , Liu Hao , Wang Ting , Wang Peisong , Wu Wenyu , Wang Huacen , Ma Yunteng , Dai Jian S. , Wang Hongqiang
Published: April 2023

Stimuli perception enables animals and robots to interact with unknown environments safely and predictably. For the sensing of soft robotics and wearable devices, although electronic skins have already been widely accepted and studied, their planar geometries are not applicable for multi‐direction volume sensing. Herein, the innervation of sensing microchannel networks into elastic matrices to mimic the exteroception and proprioception of the human bodies is employed. Soft actuators with interlaced actuating and sensing microchannels resembling the distribution of muscle fiber and proprioceptors are fabricated and the internal stimuli perception of deformation configurations (bending, elongating, and bending directions) and magnitudes (bending angle and elongation) of the soft actuators are demonstrated. It is also demonstrated that a soft cubic sensor containing 3D microchannels (diameter: 400 µm) is capable of identifying 3D external stimuli, including force types (pressing, squeezing, shearing, and twisting) and real‐time directions by measuring the resistance variation, and its application in the virtual reality field is exhibited.
Activatable Conformal Electrode Arrays for Highly Stable and Breathable 12‐Lead Clinical Electrocardiographic Monitoring
Authors: Zhang Jun , Hu Mingshuang , Zheng Xinran , Wang Huiquan , Li Xiangxiang , Zhang Xiaoying , Yang Hui
Published: April 2023

In clinical practices, ambulatory electrocardiography (ECG) signals are a significant index in early diagnosis of heart diseases. Commercial 12‐lead Holter monitors are widely used to evaluate the heartbeat over time. However, poor sweat‐proof adhesion, low water vapor transmittance, and wired connectivity of Holter monitors limit their popularization in wearable electronics. Herein, a facile, low‐cost, and scalable stretchable supramolecular material with activatable high adhesion is reported, which can be used to fabricate breathable on‐skin electrode arrays for stable 12‐lead ECG monitoring applications. In the proposed strategy, a supramolecular polymer network with various dynamic chemical bonds is obtained, resulting in the material exhibiting good stretchability. The introduction of tannic acid (TA) ensure high intrinsic adhesion at wet/dry skin surfaces. Moreover, the combination of poly (lipoic acid) and TA can realize alcohol‐activated high adhesion. Subsequently, electrode arrays are assembled using adhesive layers comprising supramolecular materials and a stretchable conductive Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS)/Au layer. In addition, the micromesh structures obtained by laser scribing endowed the electrodes with good water/air permeability. Finally, the breathable on‐skin electrode arrays are combined with flexible ECG sensors for stable 12‐lead ECG monitoring.
Optical Properties of Slot‐Die Coated Hybrid Colloid/Cellulose‐Nanofibril Thin Films
Authors: Harder Constantin , Alexakis Alexandros E. , Bulut Yusuf , Xiong Shuxian , Sochor Benedikt , Pan Guangjiu , Zhong Huaying , Goordeyeva Korneliya , Reus Manuel A. , Körstgens Volker , Jeromin Arno , Keller Thomas F. , Söderberg L. Daniel , Malmström Eva , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Roth Stephan V.
Published: April 2023

Correlating nanostructure and optical properties of thin hybrid films is the crucial ingredient for designing sustainable applications ranging from structural colors in anticounterfeiting to sensors. Here, the tailoring of the refractive index of hybrid cellulose nanofibril/water‐dispersed colloidal ink thin films is presented. The authors apply scalable, layer‐by‐layer slot‐die coating for preparing the cellulose nanofibril and hybrid thin films. Making use of the mobility of the polymer chains in the colloids upon annealing, the influence of the different colloid sizes and their glass transition temperature on the refractive index of the hybrid material is shown. The complex refractive indices of the thin films are characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry and correlated to the different nanostructures of the thin films. The authors find that post‐deposition annealing changes the colloidal nanostructure from particulate to agglomerates. Depending on the size of the colloids, imbibition of the colloids into the cellulose nanofibril template is observed. This scalable approach offers new avenues in structural color functional biomaterial hybrid layers.
Tailoring Molecular Dimensions of Cesium Lead Bromide Perovskites with Varying Compositions of Oleic Acid and Oleylamine
Authors: Xu Guoqing , Zang Shuoshuo , Liu Hewen
Published: April 2023

The evidence on deciphering nucleation and growth of cesium lead halide perovskite crystals, and establishing the phase diagram of cesium lead halide perovskites of different dimensions is still lacking. In this work, a facile method for the synthesis of cesium lead bromide crystals of different molecular level dimensions at room temperature is presented by varying the OA/OAm ratios without changing the proportions of Cs and Pb precursors. Bromide ions are gradually released in the systems through the gamma‐ray radiation chemistry of bromobenzene. As the volume ratios of OA/OAm increase, different products such as CsBr, Cs4PbBr6 (0D), white δ‐CsPbBr3 (1D), γ‐CsPbBr3 (3D) associated with PbBr2 sheets, and γ‐CsPbBr3 are obtained in order. 1D δ‐CsPbBr3 can be transformed into 2D CsPb2Br5 through CsBr stripping in water. The phase diagram established in this work is helpful for understanding the nucleation and growth mechanism of Cs–Pb–Br perovskite crystals of different dimensions. The nucleation of Cs–Pb–Br perovskite crystals is driven by the supersaturation of either CsBr or PbBr2 caused by varying OA/OAm ratios, i.e., 0D Cs4PbBr6 at the supersaturation of CsBr, while 3D γ‐CsPbBr3 at the supersaturation of PbBr2. 1D perovskite is the intermediate state between 0D and 3D perovskites.
Organic Cation Design of Manganese Halide Hybrids Glass toward Low‐Temperature Integrated Efficient, Scaling, and Reproducible X‐Ray Detector
Authors: Xu Youkui , Li ZhenHua , Peng Guoqiang , Qiu Fu , Li Zhizai , Lei Yutian , Deng Yujie , Wang Haoxu , Liu Zitong , Jin Zhiwen
Published: April 2023

Zero‐dimensional (0D) structure‐based manganese metal halides (MHs) are believed to be the most promising candidates for the next‐generation X‐ray scintillators due to their intense radioluminescence and environmental friendliness. However, low‐temperature (<180 °C), large‐area integration with more efficient X‐ray detection remains a tremendous challenge. Herein, from the perspective of cation (ionic liquids) structure design, the basic physical parameters of 0D MHs are regulated. And the calculations and experimental results demonstrate larger‐size cations that induce lower melting temperatures, larger exciton‐binding energies, larger ion migration energy, and tunable hardness, which are most desirable for MHscintillators. As a result, the champion materialHTP2MnBr4is achieved as glassy transparency wafer by low‐temperature (165 °C) melt‐quenching. Its application to X‐ray imaging features high spatial resolution (17.28 lp mm−1), scalability (>30 × 30 cm2), and integration with strong coupling force. Furthermore, HTP2MnBr4 glass with reproducible properties demonstrates a high light yield (38 000 photon MeV−1), excellent irradiation stability, and low detection limit (0.13 µGy s−1). The authors believe this work will provide guidance for MHscintillators to further commercial applications.
Methoxy Functionalization of Phenethylammonium Ligand for Efficient Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Sun Xinwen , Liang Ting , Ngai Kwan Ho , Nie Zhiguo , Fan Kezhou , Li Shiang , Chan Christopher Chang Sing , Wong Kam Sing , Lu Xinhui , Xu Jianbin , Long Mingzhu
Published: April 2023

Although the electroluminescent performances of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are continuously improved through defect management strategies, the complicated design of passivation ligands brings great challenges to the rational defect‐annihilation process. Herein, considering the bonding strength with uncoordinated Pb2+, the methoxy group with strong electron donating ability is introduced to commonly used phenethylammonium ligand as an efficient additive, namely 4‐methoxy‐phenethylammonium iodide (4‐MeO‐PEAI), to facilitate passivation process in perovskite light‐emitting materials. It is demonstrated that the 4‐MeO‐PEAI agent substantially increases the crystal orientation, enlarges the crystalline grain size, and mitigates the deep‐level trap centers through strong bonding between the methoxy group with unpaired Pb2+ ions. The external quantum efficiencyvalue of the PeLEDs with optimized passivation reaches a maximum of 21.6%, with an emission peak of 790 nm. In addition, a nearly threefold increase of the operational half‐lifetime T50 of the 4‐MeO‐PEAI‐mediated devices is observed as compared to the reference sample. Further theoretical calculation results suggest that the adhesion of the ligands on perovskite surface via vacancies leads to an increased dissociation barrier of perovskite; thus, ameliorating the degradation of the PeLEDs under electric field. The findings provide an effective design strategy of the passivation agents to produce high‐performance perovskite‐based optoelectronics devices.
Triple‐Combination Immunogenic Nanovesicles Reshape the Tumor Microenvironment to Potentiate Chemo‐Immunotherapy in Preclinical Cancer Models
Authors: Shi Xiaowei , Shu Liwei , Wang Minwen , Yao Jie , Yao Qigu , Bian Suchen , Chen Xiaona , Wan Jianqin , Zhang Fu , Zheng Shusen , Wang Hangxiang
Published: April 2023

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have had a tremendous impact on cancer therapy. However, most patients harbor a poorly immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME), presenting overwhelming de novo refractoriness to ICB inhibitors. To address these challenges, combinatorial regimens that employ chemotherapies and immunostimulatory agents are urgently needed. Here, a combination chemoimmunotherapeutic nanosystem consisting of a polymeric monoconjugated gemcitabine (GEM) prodrug nanoparticle decorated with an anti‐programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) antibody (αPD‐L1) on the surface and a stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist encapsulated inside is developed. Treatment with GEM nanoparticles upregulates PD‐L1 expression in ICB‐refractory tumors, resulting in augmented intratumor drug delivery in vivo and synergistic antitumor efficacy via activation of intratumor CD8+ T cell responses. Integration of a STING agonist into the αPD‐L1‐decorated GEM nanoparticles further improves response rates by transforming low‐immunogenic tumors into inflamed tumors. Systemically administered triple‐combination nanovesicles induce robust antitumor immunity, resulting in durable regression of established large tumors and a reduction in the metastatic burden, coincident with immunological memory against tumor rechallenge in multiple murine tumor models. These findings provide a design rationale for synchronizing STING agonists, PD‐L1 antibodies, and chemotherapeutic prodrugs to generate a chemoimmunotherapeutic effect in treating ICB‐nonresponsive tumors.
Simultaneous Improvements in Efficiency and Stability of Organic Solar Cells via a Symmetric‐Asymmetric Dual‐Acceptor Strategy
Authors: He Chengliang , Shen Qing , Wu Baohua , Gao Yuan , Li Shuixing , Min Jie , Ma Wei , Zuo Lijian , Chen Hongzheng
Published: April 2023

Simultaneously achieving improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability is the main task of the current development stage of organic solar cells (OSCs). This work reports a symmetry–asymmetry dual‐acceptor (SADA) strategy to construct ternary devices, which is found to be feasible for increasing both the PCE and the operational lifetime of OSCs. In this contribution, the symmetric acceptor L8‐BO and the asymmetric acceptor BTP‐S9 are blended in equal proportions with polymer donor PM6 for the consideration of absorption spectrum complementarity and cascade energetic alignment. In addition, the features of crystallinity and miscibility of the dual‐acceptor deliver optimized morphology lead to a high PCE of 18.84%. In addition, the asymmetric acceptor BTP‐S9 with a larger dipole moment shows tighter molecular stacking and longer crystal correlation length, which favor intrinsic molecular photostability, and further consolidate the operational lifetime of OSCs when coordinated with L8‐BO. This work demonstrates the efficacy of the SADA strategy for constructing efficient and stable OSCs.
High‐Voltage Spinel and Li2MnO3 Composite Structure Construction in LiMn0.8Ni0.2O2 for Manganese‐Based Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathode Materials
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Xiao Dongdong , Wang Boya , Wang Lihang , Wu Tianhao , Wang Yinzhong , Zhang Nian , Yu Haijun
Published: April 2023

Layered Mn‐based oxides are promising candidates for next‐generation high‐energy‐density cathodes of rechargeable batteries owing to their prominent energy density and cost‐effectiveness. However, the obvious structural degradation such as the layered‐to‐spinel transformation, associating with deteriorated electrochemical cycle stability, hinder their extensive applications in batteries. Herein, a composite structure is designed based on a Mn‐based oxide of LiMn0.8Ni0.2O2 with a high‐voltage spinel crystal domain pre‐introduced into the parent layered structure, showing good structural stability during electrochemical process. Results show that Li2MnO3 crystal domain suffers from sluggish Li+ ions kinetics and structural transformation from layered to metastable spinel, while the pre‐introduced high‐voltage spinel crystal domain exhibits almost maintained structure, and the optimal performance near to theoretical capacity of LiMn0.8Ni0.2O2 cathode can be harvested after electrochemical activation. This design is useful for stabilizing the entire structure prior to the degradation of the parent structures, and the electrochemical contributions of layered Li2MnO3 and pre‐introduced high‐voltage spinel crystal domains are also discerned. This study provides new guidelines for designing high‐performance composite‐structure Mn‐based cathode materials by pre‐introduction of stable crystal domains.
Engineering of Self‐Aggregation‐Resistant MnO2 Heterostructure with A Built‐in Field for Enhanced High‐Mass‐Loading Energy Storage
Authors: Wang Jinxin , Guo Wei , Liu Zongxu , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: April 2023

Although MnO2 has been intensively investigated for energy storage, further applications are limited by van der Waals force‐triggered self‐aggregation that always leads to poorly exposed active sites and compromised reaction dynamics, especially under high‐mass‐loading conditions. Herein, by synergistically coupling interfacial modulation with the Kirkendall effect, this work achieves in situ topological structure reorganization of MnOOH toward the high‐aspect‐ratio MnO2 heterostructure (Heter‐MnO2) with fully exposed active sites, which is ready to assemble into self‐supporting high‐mass‐loading film (30 mg cm−2) with restrained self‐aggregation. Theoretical calculation and dynamics analysis results demonstrate the generation of the built‐in field within the heterostructure, thus enhancing the electronic‐transfer and ionic‐adsorption/transport rates. As such, the 30 mg cm−2 Heter‐MnO2 electrode achieves a superior areal capacitance of 4762 mF cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2 and a sound rate performance (79% at 100 mA cm−2) comparable to those of low‐mass‐loading/thin‐film electrodes. As a proof of concept, the fabricated planar interdigital quasi‐solid‐state symmetric micro‐supercapacitor (MSC) based on the Heter‐MnO2 electrode can deliver a remarkable areal capacitance of 181 mF cm−2 and a considerable volumetric energy density of 10.3 mWh cm−3. This methodology highlights the promise of surface/interface chemistry modulation for the configuration of easy‐to‐integrate hierarchical nanostructures to better meet practical energy applications.
High‐burnout and low‐NOx combustion characteristics in a 600‐MWe W‐shaped flame furnace: Air‐regulating solution selection as varying overfire air and impact of the overfire air ratio
Authors: Qi Shengchen , Wang Xiu , Zhao Yiping , Kuang Min , Liu Sheng , Chen Yangyang
Published: April 2023

In order to establish an efficient air‐regulating solution as varying overfire air (OFA) and recommend an appropriate OFA ratio for a 600‐MWe W‐shaped flame furnace equipped with the proposed cascade‐arch‐firing low‐NOx and high‐burnout configuration (CLHC), four air‐regulating solutions were established by respectively adjusting the air into secondary air, tertiary air, and hopper air or proportionally varying the air into the three jets in a uniform distribution form, which were labeled in turn as SA, TA, HA, and UD, respectively. After the efficient air‐regulating solution fixed, four OFA ratios of 15%, 17.5%, 20%, and 22.5% were evaluated. Among the four air‐regulating solutions, only UD develops symmetrical combustion. An order of TA < HA < SA < UD in the final performance indexes enables UD as the efficient air‐regulating solution as varying OFA. A symmetrical flow field and combustion pattern develop at the former three OFA ratios. The excessive OFA ratio of 22.5% achieves a severely deflected flow field and asymmetric combustion. Increasing the OFA ratio generates a decrease‐to‐increase trend in burnout and a continuous decrease trend in NOx emissions. Consequently, the 20% setting is preferred as an appropriate OFA ratio, showing the best low‐NOx and high‐burnout accomplishment. The improvement in both burnout and NOx emissions as opening OFA to deepen air staging is attributed to the improved symmetrical combustion and the strengthened OFA penetration in the upper furnace.
Chemical composition, particle size, and molecular weight distributions of chemically degraded guar gum solutions
Authors: Li Yongfu , Hilliard Casie , Kuo Tzu‐Chi , Nelson Christopher , Rinken Marian , Broomall Charles , Hawkes Alice , Pearce Eric , Donate Felipe , Ouellette Sara , Kalantar Thomas H.
Published: April 2023

Chemical degradation of guar gum solutions via the addition of a strong oxidant is a common process step in hydraulic fracturing. Unfortunately, this degradation step leads to the formation of an insoluble precipitate which clogs the porous rock formation, reducing efficiency, reducing oil recovery potential, and increasing energy costs. The chemical composition, particle size, and molecular weight distributions of the oxidatively degraded guar (“broken guar”) are largely unknown, making it difficult to develop mitigation strategies. In this work, broken guar gum solutions are systematically analyzed to understand the origin of the observed residue. Our results indicate that cellulose fibers and proteins, rather than galactomannan oligomers, are the two major components (>50%) of the solid residue (the water‐insoluble fraction of broken guar). This finding suggests that removal of the cellulose fiber and proteins from the guar source material may be a potential residue mitigation strategy. Separately, we provide evidence for a potential second mitigation strategy employing chemical additives to reduce aggregation of the insoluble species, effectively reducing their potential to cause formation damage.
Sieving and hydrothermal pre‐treatments for preparing ultra‐high mechanical strength particleboard
Authors: Zhou Tong , Pang Bo , Cao Xue‐Fei , Bao Ningzhong , Zhu Chen‐Jie , Sun Zhuohua , Yang Sheng , Yuan Tong‐Qi
Published: April 2023

The application of non woody biomass materials in the manufacture of wood‐based panels has been confirmed as an efficient carbon sequestration approach. In this study, reed straw was recommended to produce reed‐based particleboards (RPs). Sieving and hydrothermal pre‐treatments were conducted on the inner layer reed particles to reduce the adverse influence of the waxy layer on the mechanical strength of RPs. The thickness swelling rate was merely 1.04% (2 h), and the internal bonding strength could reach up to 0.88 MPa, which met the ISO requirements for heavy‐duty load bearing in dry conditions (P‐HLB REG). More importantly, this study constructed the plate forming process that retains the natural morphological characteristics of reed to the maximum extent. Generally, the mechanical strength of RPs was markedly higher than mostly straw‐based and even wood‐based panels. The static bending strength of RPs could reach 35.6 MPa after sieving pre‐treatment. In addition, according to the LCA, the net carbon flux could reach −1227.55 kg CO2 eq. when producing 1 m3 RPs. The obtained RPs could be utilized as wood substitutes to produce furniture and building materials with promising environmental and economic benefits.
Probing Polar‐π Interactions Between Tetrazoles and Aromatic Rings**
Authors: Jian Jie , Hammink Roel , Tinnemans Paul , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Poater Jordi , Mecinović Jasmin
Published: April 2023

The heterocyclic tetrazole, a well‐established bioisosteric replacement of carboxylic acid, plays an important role in medicinal chemistry. To deepen the functional understanding of tetrazoles in chemical sciences, it is essential to investigate the noncovalent interactions between the tetrazole ring and aromatic rings. Here, we report synthetic, spectroscopic, structural and quantum chemical analyses on specially designed 2‐arylphenyl‐1H‐tetrazoles to study the underlying noncovalent interactions between the tetrazole ring and the neighboring aromatic ring possessing substituents at para/meta position. pKa values and proton affinities of 2‐arylphenyl‐1H‐tetrazoles correlate well with Hammett sigma values of para‐substituents at the flanking aromatic ring. Molecular orbital and energy decomposition analyses reveal that through‐space NH–π interactions and π–π interactions contribute to the trend of pKa values and proton affinities of 2‐arylphenyl‐1H‐tetrazoles. The electrostatic interaction between tetrazole/tetrazolide interacting with the aromatic rings appears responsible for the observed acidity trends. These results will be helpful for the rational design of tetrazole‐based drugs and materials.
Hydraulic Models, Fire Flow Tests, and Your Home Insurance
Authors:   AWWA Fire Protection Committee
Published: April 2023

Key Takeaways

The Public Protection Classification (PPC) is used as an input in determining home insurance cost, and the available fire flow is an important input in determining the PPC.

To determine a water system's available fire flow, either hydrant flow tests or hydraulic modeling can be used to calculate water main capacity.

Each method has its pros and cons, and familiarity with each enables the engineer to select the best approach.
A novel Mn4+‐activated far‐red Sr2MgWO6 phosphor: synthesis, luminescence enhancement, and application prospect
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Xu Yamin , Cheng Kang , Long Juling , Huang Weichao , Deng Chaoyong
Published: April 2023

A novel far‐red emitting phosphor Sr2MgWO6: Mn4+ was fabricated using high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. X‐ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscopy images, and photoluminescence excitation and photoluminescence spectra for this phosphor were analyzed in detail. The analysis revealed that its emission ranged from 600 to 800 nm and peaked at 699 nm, which was attributed to the 2Eg→4A2g transition of Mn4+ under 314 nm excitation. Moreover, we introduced rare‐earth Yb3+ ions into the Sr2MgWO6:Mn4+ to improve its far‐red emitting intensity. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the Yb3+ co‐doped phosphor was three times higher than that of the single‐doped phosphor. Therefore charge compensation is an efficient approach to improving PL intensity. The phosphor emitted a far‐red light that resembled the pigments essential for plant growth in terms of the absorption spectrum. Therefore, the obtained phosphor, Sr2MgWO6:0.006Mn4+,0.2Yb3+, had the potential to be a new type of far‐red luminescent powder for indoor plant growth LEDs.
YBac: A novel and simple baculovirus system for heterologous protein production in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) cells
Authors: Yu Yue , Yang Cancan , Zhang Tong , Xu Zhenhe , Zhang Yuanxing , Liu Qin
Published: April 2023

The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has been widely used for heterologous protein expression due to its powerful functionality and easy access to commercial expression vectors. Currently, most laboratories prefer two strategies for protein production using BEVS. One is recombinant bacmid based on transposition in Escherichia coli (e.g., Bac‐to‐Bac), and another is homologous recombination in insect cells (e.g., flashBac). In this manuscript, a rapid and simple YBac system was established. This novel system uses an Ac99KO bacmid as a virus vector and co‐transfected into Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) cells with a donor plasmid capable of recombination into Ac42 loci that carry the genes of interest (GOIs) along with the complete Ac99 fragment. Based on the intracellular homologous recombination system, the production of foreign proteins was achieved by the complementation of the Ac99 gene together with the insertion of GOIs. In this study, the human thyroid peroxidase (hTPO) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus‐like particles (PEDV VLPs) were successfully expressed using the YBac system. The entire process was shortened to 10 days, and the components involved in the system could be easily prepared in the laboratory, suggesting that the YBac system may have great potential in the production of heterologous proteins.
Gambling on an empty stomach: Hunger modulates preferences for learned but not described risks
Authors: van Swieten Maaike M. H. , Bogacz Rafal , Manohar Sanjay G.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

We assess risks differently when they are explicitly described, compared to when we learn directly from experience, suggesting dissociable decision‐making systems. Our needs, such as hunger, could globally affect our risk preferences, but do they affect described and learned risks equally? On one hand, decision‐making from descriptions is often considered flexible and context sensitive, and might therefore be modulated by metabolic needs. On the other hand, preferences learned through reinforcement might be more strongly coupled to biological drives.

Method

Thirty‐two healthy participants (females: 20, mean age: 25.6 ± 6.5 years) with a normal weight (Body Mass Index: 22.9 ± 3.2 kg/m2) were tested in a within‐subjects counterbalanced, randomized crossover design for the effects of hunger on two separate risk‐taking tasks. We asked participants to choose between two options with different risks to obtain monetary outcomes. In one task, the outcome probabilities were described numerically, whereas in a second task, they were learned.

Result

In agreement with previous studies, we found that rewarding contexts induced risk‐aversion when risks were explicitly described (F1,31 = 55.01, p < .0001, ηp2 = .64), but risk‐seeking when they were learned through experience (F1,31 = 10.28, p < .003, ηp2 = .25). Crucially, hunger attenuated these contextual biases, but only for learned risks (F1,31 = 8.38, p < .007, ηp2 = .21).

Conclusion

The results suggest that our metabolic state determines risk‐taking biases when we lack explicit descriptions.
3D printing‐based full‐scale human brain for diverse applications
Authors: Hua Weijian , Zhang Cheng , Raymond Lily , Mitchell Kellen , Wen Lai , Yang Ying , Zhao Danyang , Liu Shu , Jin Yifei
Published: April 2023

Surgery is the most frequent treatment for patients with brain tumors. The construction of full‐scale human brain models, which is still challenging to realize via current manufacturing techniques, can effectively train surgeons before brain tumor surgeries. This paper aims to develop a set of three‐dimensional (3D) printing approaches to fabricate customized full‐scale human brain models for surgery training as well as specialized brain patches for wound healing after surgery. First, a brain patch designed to fit a wound's shape and size can be easily printed in and collected from a stimuli‐responsive yield‐stress support bath. Then, an inverse 3D printing strategy, called “peeling‐boiled‐eggs,” is proposed to fabricate full‐scale human brain models. In this strategy, the contour layer of a brain model is printed using a sacrificial ink to envelop the target brain core within a photocurable yield‐stress support bath. After crosslinking the contour layer, the as‐printed model can be harvested from the bath to photo crosslink the brain core, which can be eventually released by liquefying the contour layer. Both the brain patch and full‐scale human brain model are successfully printed to mimic the scenario of wound healing after removing a brain tumor, validating the effectiveness of the proposed 3D printing approaches.