bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Van der Waals Epitaxy of HgCdTe Thin Films for Flexible Infrared Optoelectronics
Authors: Pan Wenwu , Zhang Zekai , Gu Renjie , Ma Shuo , Faraone Lorenzo , Lei Wen
Published: December 2022

Van der Waals epitaxial (vdW) growth of semiconductor thin films on 2D layered substrates has recently attracted considerable attention since it provides a potential pathway for realizing monolithically integrated devices and flexible devices. In this work, direct growth of epitaxial HgCdTe (111) thin films on 2D layered transparent mica substrates is achieved via molecular beam epitaxy. The full width at half maximum of the ω‐mode X‐ray diffraction peak is measured to be around 306 arc sec. Mid‐wave infrared photoconductors based on the as‐grown HgCdTe thin films have been demonstrated and the self‐heating effect has been evaluated. A peak responsivity at the wavelength of around 3500 nm is measured to be about 110 V W−1 at 80 K and 8 V W−1 at room temperature under a bias of 25 V cm−1. Twinning defects are observed, limiting the crystallinity and mobility‐lifetime product in HgCdTe/mica. Benefiting from the vdW epitaxial growth, an etch‐free layer transfer process for lifting off the HgCdTe from the mica substrate has been demonstrated, leading to large area free‐standing HgCdTe thin films.
High‐Temperature Degradation Mechanism of Interfacial Thermal Resistance Based on Submicron Silver Adhesion
Authors: Wang Jian , Fu Zhiwei , Zhao Huanhuan , Li Zhiqiang , Ma Dezhi , Yang Chao , He Zhiyuan , Guo Xiaotong , Yang Xiaofeng , Chen Si , Liu Linhua , Yang Jia‐Yue
Published: December 2022

Thermal interface materials (TIM) represented by submicron silver adhesive provide a promising solution for ultra‐high heat dissipation in chip integration. However, it is difficult to accurately characterize the thermal performance of submicron silver adhesive interfaces, and their high‐temperature degradation mechanism still remains unclear. Herein, the accelerated high‐temperature aging experiments of submicron silver adhesion interfaces are performed, and a non‐destructive testing method is provided to measure the degeneration of interfacial thermal resistance (ITR). After performing the two‐sided test, ITR can be extracted with an error of less than 4.6%. Based on scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray microstructural analysis, the microstructural evolution of silver adhesive interfaces is presented and its high‐temperature degradation mechanism is determined. It is observed for the first time that ITR would change with the aging time following a bathtub curve. Such a degenerative process can be evidently divided into three stages including secondary solidification, fluctuation, and failure. In addition, a physical model is developed to interpret the degradation mechanism of ITR at high temperatures. The change in the trend of submicron silver body and TIM–solid contact thermal resistance at different stages is presented. This work helps promote submicron silver's application as high‐performance TIM.
Amine‐Rich Hydrogels Enhance Solar Water Oxidation via Boosting Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer
Authors: Bae Sanghyun , De Guzman Rod Alexei Fitrian , Jeon Dasom , Kim Minjung , Ryu Jungki
Published: December 2022

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation is a highly challenging task that acts as a bottleneck for efficient solar hydrogen production. It is because each cycle of water oxidation is composed of four proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes and conventional photoanodes and cocatalysts have limited roles in enhancing the charge separation and storage rather than in enhancing catalytic activity. In this study, a simple and generally applicable strategy to improve the PEC performance of water oxidation photoanodes through their modification with polyethyleneimine (PEI) hydrogel is reported. The rich amine groups of PEI not only allow the facile and stable modification of photoanodes by crosslinking but also contribute to improving the kinetics of PEC water oxidation by boosting the PCET. Consequently, the PEC performance of various photoanodes, such as BiVO4, Fe2O3, and TiO2, is significantly enhanced in terms of photocurrent densities and onset potentials even in the presence of notable cocatalyst, cobalt phosphate. The present study provides new insights into and strategies for the design of efficient photoelectrodes and PEC devices.
Sequential Use of Orthogonal Self‐Assembled Monolayers for Area‐Selective Atomic Layer Deposition of Dielectric on Metal
Authors: Liu Tzu‐Ling , Harake Maggy , Bent Stacey F.
Published: December 2022

Although there have been several demonstrations of area‐selective atomic layer deposition (AS‐ALD) of dielectric on dielectric in metal/dielectric patterns, the reverse process of selective dielectric on metal (DoM) is not as well developed due to the challenge of inhibiting only the dielectrics. Unavoidable native oxide formation on metals tends to lead to similar surface chemical properties between metal and dielectric substrates, decreasing the selectivity in inhibitor adsorption. Hence, to achieve DoM, preventing unwanted inhibitor adsorption on metals is critical. This study demonstrates a two‐step strategy of first applying a dodecanethiol (DDT) self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) on a Cu/SiO2 pattern to protect the Cu surfaces from subsequent deposition of an octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) inhibitor, which then selectively forms an OTMS SAM on SiO2. It is further shown that by removing the DDT protector with thermal treatment before AS‐ALD, subsequent ALD growth on Cu is not affected while ALD remains blocked on the OTMS‐covered SiO2 regions. Using this strategy, DoM is demonstrated with selectivity above 0.9 after 5.6 nm of ZnO and 1.5 nm of Al2O3 ALD. This work presents a new approach to expand the material systems available to AS‐ALD which may help enable more applications in microelectronics, optoelectronics, and energy.
Bromide Decorated Eco‐Friendly ZnSeTe/ZnSe/ZnS Quantum Dots for Efficient Blue Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zheng Zhishuai , Ren Zhenwei , Xia Wenlin , Luo Chengzhao , Li Jie , Ma Wenchen , Ji Huifeng , Shi Hengfei , Chen Yu
Published: December 2022

Multi‐shelled ZnSeTe/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have served as a promising eco‐friendly emitter for blue quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs). While extensive studies have concentrated on the optimization of the shell species and thickness of the multi‐shelled QDs to raise the QLED electroluminescent performance, very few reports focus on the QD surface states involving ligand and defect modulations which are essential for high‐performance QLEDs. Herein, the strategy of bromide decoration is theoretically and practically demonstrated to simultaneously diminish the QD surface defects by passivating the unsaturated Zn for strengthened carrier radiative recombination and removing the superabundant oleic acid through ligand exchange for efficient carrier transport. As a result, the merits of bromide decoration benefit a large increase in photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) from 39.7% to 86.2% at the wavelength of 443 nm, as well as a great enhancement of the device performance with over sevenfold improvement in external quantum efficiency (EQE) from 0.74% to 5.46% and a distinct decrease in turn‐on voltage from 6.7 to 5.9 V. Consequently, this work contributes an effective approach of the multi‐shelled QD surface decoration toward enhanced QLED performance.
Microfluidic 3D Printing of Emulsion Ink for Engineering Porous Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Marcotulli Martina , Tirelli Maria Celeste , Volpi Marina , Jaroszewicz Jakub , Scognamiglio Chiara , Kasprzycki Piotr , Karnowski Karol , Święszkowski Wojciech , Ruocco Giancarlo , Costantini Marco , Cidonio Gianluca , Barbetta Andrea
Published: December 2022

In the last decade, 3D printing systems have greatly evolved both in terms of processable materials and printing resolutions, becoming a top seed technology for many academic and industrial applications. Nevertheless, manufacturing polymeric materials characterized by a trabecular porosity and functionally graded architecture—where both the local porosity and chemical composition of the matrix change in the 3D space—through additive platforms remains an open technical challenge. In this study, a 3D extrusion printing strategy to tackle this problem is presented. The proposed systems are based on a flow‐focusing microfluidic printing head—to continuously generate oil‐in‐water emulsion inks—and on an agarose fluid–gel used as a temporary support bath for the deposition of the photo‐curable emulsion inks. It is demonstrated that through this strategy one can design a priori and build with high accuracy both discontinuous and continuous functionally graded polymeric foams, where both the density and composition of the materials could be varied independently within arbitrarily complex 3D architectures. This study provides new means for the synthesis of microporous, polymeric FGMs which could find applications ranging from interface tissue engineering to automotive and construction industries.
Tunable and Thermally Stable Luminescence from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Confined in a Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework
Authors: Tu Min , de Jong Flip , Martín Cristina , Reinsch Helge , Rodríguez‐Hermida Sabina , Meulemans Arne , Fron Eduard , Escudero Daniel , Van der Auweraer Mark , Hofkens Johan , Ameloot Rob
Published: December 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can provide a variety of nanocompartments for the confinement of guest molecules. Furthermore, the emissions of fluorescent molecules can be tuned by confinement. In this study, a solvent‐free “bottle‐around‐ship” method is used to encapsulate perylene and 9,10‐dimethylanthracene, two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in the MOF ZIF‐8. Luminescence color tuning is achieved, including white‐light emission, when controlling the loading of only a single type of guest. Photophysical analysis suggests that the variations in luminescence result from various guest arrangements in the nanocompartments, as well as host–guest interactions. Because of the tight confinement of the guests, this host–guest system displays excellent luminescence thermal stability.
Overcoming the Intrinsic Limitations of Fast Charging Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using Integrated Acoustic Streaming
Authors: Huang An , Liu Haodong , Liu Ping , Friend James
Published: December 2022

A lithium‐ion battery's maximum charge rate and energy density are intrinsically limited by the ion diffusion rate in the electrolyte. Most research focuses on materials science solutions to this problem, with gradual improvement over the years. A mechanical solution is proposed to integrate an MHz‐order frequency surface acoustic wave (SAW) device into an existing 1.8 Ah multilayered Li‐ion pouch cell to enhance the ion diffusion rate and the overall battery performance. Both the charging rate and cycling lifetime are improved from SAW. At a 6C (10 min) charge and C/3 discharge rate, typical of electric vehicle applications, integrating SAW into the Li‐ion cell doubles the energy density and maintains at least 72% of the battery's initial capacity after 2000 cycles. Moreover, using SAW quantifiably reduces battery degradation in these conditions as determined by optical imaging, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction. The use of SAW appears to offer a method to avoid undesirable Li metal plating on the graphite anode during charging, and leads to a much longer battery lifetime and good charge capacity, all despite rapid charging.
Is it worth it? A qualitative analysis of the impact of medical education fellowships on careers
Authors: Jordan Jaime , Gisondi Michael A. , Buckanavage Jack , Diller David , Pedigo Ryan , Ahn James , Riddell Jeffrey
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Medical education fellowships provide training in teaching, assessment, educational program administration, and scholarship. The longitudinal impact of this training is unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of medical education fellowships on the careers of graduates.

Methods

The authors performed a qualitative study with a constructivist–interpretivist paradigm using semistructured interviews in 2021. The authors used a purposeful randomized stratified sampling strategy of graduates to ensure diversity of representation (gender, region, fellowship duration, and career stage). Two researchers independently analyzed interview transcriptions using a modified grounded theory approach.

Results

The authors interviewed 10 graduates and identified three overarching concepts: motivations for pursuing fellowship, benefits of training, and drivers of career development. Graduates sought training because of their desire for growth and career preparation and at the advice of mentors. Fellowships provided knowledge and skills in a structured learning environment, supported by mentors and a collaborative community. Fellowship training shaped the careers of graduates by increasing their self‐efficacy, enhancing their outcome expectations, refining their goals, and influencing their professional identity formation. They acquired expertise that prepared them for jobs, developed credibility, felt competitive in the job market, anticipated successful promotion, reached for greater goals, broadened their educational worldview, and evolved their professional identity as a result of fellowship training.

Conclusions

Fellowship training in medical education provides knowledge and skills, a structured learning environment, and important relationships that shape the careers of graduates by impacting their self‐efficacy, outcome expectations, goal creation, and professional identity formation.
Cellular Ingestible DNA Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Xu Rui , Li Yujie , Zhu Chenyou , Liu Dongsheng , Yang Yuhe R.
Published: December 2022

Delivering functional substances across the cell membrane barriers has been a great challenge in biomedicine. Among various strategies to improve cellular uptake, DNA nanostructures, with different shapes and sizes, supply as suitable platforms for delivering a wide range of functional substances to cells. With great programmability, biocompatibility, and biostability, DNA nanostructure‐based delivery systems have shown and have succeeded in anticancer therapy, antibacterial treatment, gene editing, vaccine development, and stem cell bioengineering. Herein, the development and construction of various cellular ingestible DNA nanostructures are described, the loading strategies of functional substances are summarized, current biomedical applications are overviewed, and finally the remaining challenges and opportunities are discussed.
MXene‐Based Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications: Healthier Substitute Materials for the Future
Authors: Siwal Samarjeet Singh , Kaur Harjot , Chauhan Gunjan , Thakur Vijay Kumar
Published: December 2022

MXene‐based nanomaterial is a revolution 2D material achieving outstanding scientific attention owing to its universal characteristics for different applications (such as electronic appliances, power production, sensors, drug transfer, and biomedical). Although, the cytotoxic consequences of MXene have a considerable circumstance. Thus, rigorous investigation of the biocompatibility of MXene is a crucial prerequisite, formerly the preface to the human biological approach. Literature reveals functional outcomes wherever MXenes are used in vitro and in vivo cancer representatives. It affects drug transfer methods, sensoring electrodes, and assisting mechanisms for photothermal treatment and hyperthermy techniques. In this review, the synthesis process (such as top‐down and bottom‐up approaches) and properties (such as mechanical, electrical, optical, oxidative/thermal stability, and magnetic) of MXene‐based nanomaterials (NMs) are discussed. In addition, the different applications (such as tissue engineering, cancer theranostic, and other biomedical [such as drug delivery biosensors and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates for biomedical applications], antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties against SARS‐CoV‐2) of MXene‐based NMs are discussed in detail. Finally, the conclusion, existing challenges, and future outlooks are highlighted for more scope in this field.
Metal–Organic Frameworks as Electrocatalysts
Authors: Peng Yong , Sanati Soheila , Morsali Ali , García Hermenegildo
Published: December 2022

Transition metal complexes are well‐known homogeneous electrocatalysts. In this regard, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can be considered as an ensemble of transition metal complexes ordered in a periodic arrangement. In addition, MOFs have several additional positive structural features that make them suitable for electrocatalysis, including large surface area, high porosity, and high content of accessible transition metal with exchangeable coordination positions. The present review describes the current state in the use of MOFs as electrocatalysts, both as host of electroactive guests and their direct electrocatalytic activity, particularly in the case of bimetallic MOFs. The field of MOF‐derived materials is purposely not covered, focusing on the direct use of MOFs or its composites as electrocatalysts. Special attention has been paid to present strategies to overcome their poor electrical conductivity and limited stability.
Durable Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia over Defective Pseudobrookite Fe2TiO5Nanofibers with Abundant Oxygen Vacancies
Authors: Du Hongting , Guo Haoran , Wang Kaike , Du Xiangning , Beshiwork Bayu Admasu , Sun Shengjun , Luo Yongsong , Liu Qian , Li Tingshuai , Sun Xuping
Published: December 2022

We propose the pseudobrookite Fe2TiO5nanofiber with abundant oxygen vacancies as a new electrocatalyst to ambiently reduce nitrate to ammonia. Such catalyst achieves a large NH3yield of 0.73 mmol h−1 mg−1cat.and a high Faradaic Efficiency (FE) of 87.6 % in phosphate buffer saline solution with 0.1 M NaNO3, which is lifted to 1.36 mmol h−1 mg−1cat.and 96.06 % at −0.9 V vs. RHE for nitrite conversion to ammonia in 0.1 M NaNO2. It also shows excellent electrochemical durability and structural stability. Theoretical calculation reveals the enhanced conductivity of this catalyst and an extremely low free energy of −0.28 eV for nitrate adsorption at the presence of vacant oxygen.
Die Bindung von Cyanid an [FeFe]‐Hydrogenasen stabilisiert die alternative Konfiguration des Protonentransferpfads
Authors: Duan Jifu , Hemschemeier Anja , Burr David J. , Stripp Sven T. , Hofmann Eckhard , Happe Thomas
Published: December 2022

Hydrogenasen sind H2‐umsetzende Metalloenzyme und enthalten katalytische Kofaktoren, deren Eisenionen durch biologisch ungewöhnliche Kohlenmonoxid‐ (CO) und Cyanid‐ (CN−) Liganden koordiniert sind. Externes CO und CN−hemmt Hydrogenasen jedoch. Der molekulare Mechanismus der Bindung von CN−an [FeFe]‐Hydrogenasen ist unbekannt. In dieser Studie präsentieren wir Kristallstrukturen der mit CN−behandelten [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase CpI ausClostridium pasteurianum. Auf Grund der hohen Auflösung von 1.39 Å können wir die intrinsischen CO‐ und CN−‐Liganden voneinander unterscheiden. Wir zeigen, dass externes CN−die offene Bindestelle des Kofaktors besetzt, an die auch externes CO bindet. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Inhibitoren zeigen die CN−‐behandelten Kristalle Konformationsänderungen konservierter Reste des Protonentransferpfads, die einen direkten Austausch von Protonen zwischen den Aminosäuren E279 und S319 ermöglichen. Diese Konformation wurde als notwendig für einen effizienten Protonentransfer vorgeschlagen, doch wurde sie bisher nicht strukturell nachgewiesen.
The interaction of loading mode and humidity on the properties degradation of an epoxy adhesive subjected to strength, fracture, and fatigue tests
Authors: de Castro Lopes Frederico V. B. , Akhavan‐Safar Alireza , Carbas Ricardo J. C. , Marques Eduardo A. S. , Goyal Rakesh , Jennings Justin , da Silva Lucas F. M.
Published: December 2022

Hygrothermal aging has a significant impact on the performance of adhesives and bonded joints. However, despite extensive investigations into the aging effect of bonded structures, there is still limited knowledge on how aging affects joint performance as a function of the loading type and the load angle. Accordingly, in this study, an epoxy adhesive was tested under different loading types/angles including tensile and shear standard strength tests, mode I and mode II fracture tests, and fatigue and static Arcan tests. All these experiments were performed for both aged and unaged conditions. To understand the influence of loading angle on the failure response of aged bonded joints, Arcan samples were subjected to mixed mode loading conditions as well. A fractography analysis was conducted to provide a better understanding of the failure mechanism of aged samples loaded at different modes. Based on these results, it was found that mode I (tensile loading conditions) is more sensitive to the aging conditions than mode II (shearing) for all loading types (strength, fracture, and fatigue tests). The influence of moisture on fracture toughness was however less relevant than the strength. The results also showed that for the same loading mode and for the same Arcan joints, the fatigue strength is significantly more degraded by the aging conditions than the static strength.
Structure and properties of new biodegradable elastomers composed of poly(ethylene succinate)‐based poly(ether ester)s and poly(lactic acid)
Authors: He Zhaohui , Feng Yinbiao , Wang Cong , Yang Junjiao , Tan Tianwei , Yang Jing
Published: December 2022

The green sustainability of the plastic industry always gives impetus to develop the biobased and biodegradable polymers for substituting chemical products. In this study, aliphatic poly(ethylene succinate)‐based poly(ether ester)s (PES‐based PEE) were firstly explored via one pot/two‐component industrial melt polycondensation of succinic acid (SA) and ethylene glycol (EG) in the catalytic combination of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTP) and methylsulfonic acid (MSA). Their thermal properties and mechanical behavior were analyzed in detail. Based on complementary properties of PES‐based PEEs and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in the aspect of the flexibility and ductility, the copolymerization of poly(ethylene succinate)‐poly(diethylene glycol succinate) (PES‐PDES) with PLA with low molecular weight was further systematically elaborated and characterized. The results from differential scanning calorimeter showed all the copolymers with different LA contents were amorphous without the melting temperatures. Only oneαrelaxation revealed by DMA indicated PES‐PDES and PLA segments were random distribution and compatible. The monotonical decrease in glass transition temperatures (Tgs) hinted the mobility enhancement of the copolymers with increasing PES‐PDES contents. All the copolymers PES‐PDES‐PLAs exhibited relatively high thermal degradation temperature withT5%above 280°C. The mechanical properties and degradable behavior of the copolymers were significantly ameliorated by changing the composition fractions of PES‐PDES and PLA in the architecture.
Pre‐intercalation Strategies to Layered Vanadium‐based Electrode Materials for Aqueous Zinc Batteries
Authors: Liu Yi , Liu Ying , Wu Xiang
Published: December 2022

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have become the most potential alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their intrinsic safety, convenient operation, and environmentally friendly characteristics. Layered vanadium‐based compounds with two‐dimensional ion diffusion channels attract extensive attentions as cathodes for AZIBs. However, they usually suffer from dissolution and large volume change during charging/discharging. Recently, the pre‐insertion strategy of guest ions or molecules into the host has provided an effective solution. In this review, we first introduce the application and research trends of vanadium‐based cathode materials for AZIBs. Then, the interlayer engineering of the pre‐intercalation strategy is emphatically summarized. Finally, we propose future challenges for developing high‐performance layered vanadium‐based electrode materials.
Lethal effects of mitochondria via microfluidics
Authors: Kim Hyueyun , Ahn Young‐Ho , Moon Chang Mo , Kang Jihee Lee , Woo Minna , Kim Minsuk
Published: December 2022

Tumor cells can respond to therapeutic agents by morphologic alternations including formation of tunneling nanotubes. Using tomographic microscope, which can detect the internal structure of cells, we found that mitochondria within breast tumor cells migrate to an adjacent tumor cell through a tunneling nanotube. To investigate the relationship between mitochondria and tunneling nanotubes, mitochondria were passed through a microfluidic device that mimick tunneling nanotubes. Mitochondria, through the microfluidic device, released endonuclease G (Endo G) into adjacent tumor cells, which we referred to herein as unsealed mitochondria. Although unsealed mitochondria did not induce cell death by themselves, they induced apoptosis of tumor cells in response to caspase‐3. Importantly, Endo G‐depleted mitochondria were ineffective as lethal agents. Moreover, unsealed mitochondria had synergistic apoptotic effects with doxorubicin in further increasing tumor cell death. Thus, we show that the mitochondria of microfluidics can provide novel strategies toward tumor cell death.
Experimental validation of in silico analysis estimated the reverse effect of upregulated hsa‐miR‐106a‐5p and hsa‐miR‐223‐3p on SLC4A4 gene expression in Iranian patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma by RT‐qPCR
Authors: Ranjbaran Javad , Safarpour Hossein , Nomiri Samira , Tavakoli Tahmine , Rezaei Zohreh , Salmani Fatemeh , Larki Pegah , Chamani Elham
Published: December 2022

Background and Methods

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The diagnosis and prognosis of the patients are very poor. In this study, we used in‐silico analysis and experimental techniques to investigate novel co‐expression genes and their associated miRNA networks in CRC. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis using online bulk and single‐cell RNA‐seq datasets. We then validated the results on tissue samples from cancerous and adjacent normal tissues from CRC patients by RT‐qPCR.

Results

Using a weighted gene co‐expression network algorithm, we identified SLC4A4 as a significantly downregulated hub gene in the CRC. The single‐cell analysis indicated that the expression level of SLC4A4 in Paneth cells is higher than in other cell populations. Further computational analysis suggested hsa‐miR‐223‐3p and hsa‐miR‐106a‐5p as two specific hub‐miRNAs for the SLC4A4 gene. RT‐qPCR analysis showed a 2.60‐fold downregulation of SLC4A4. Moreover, hsa‐miR‐223‐3p and hsa‐miR‐106a‐5p showed an increased expression level of 5.58‐fold and 9.66‐fold in CRC samples, respectively. Based on the marginal model analysis, by increasing the expression of hsa‐miR‐106a‐5p, the average expression of the SLC4A4 gene significantly decreased by 103 units. Furthermore, ROC curves analysis indicated statistically significant for diagnostic ability of SLC4A4 (AUC: 0.94, Sensitivity: 95.5%, Specificity: 95.5%) and hsa‐miR‐106a‐5p (AUC: 0.72, Sensitivity: 72.7%, Specificity: 100%).

Conclusion

This study provides a framework of co‐expression gene modules and miRNAs of CRC, which identifies some important biomarkers for CRC pathogenicity and diagnosis. Further experimental evidence will be required to support this study and validate the precise molecular pathways.
Similar efficacy and safety between lenvatinib versus atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as the first‐line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Su Chung‐Wei , Teng Wei , Lin Po‐Ting , Jeng Wen‐Juei , Chen Kuei‐An , Hsieh Yi‐Chung , Chen Wei‐Ting , Ho Ming‐Mo , Hsieh Chia‐Hsun , Wang Ching‐Ting , Chai Pei‐Mei , Lin Chen‐Chun , Lin Chun‐Yen , Lin Shi‐Ming
Published: December 2022

Background

Lenvatinib and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab(A + B) have been used for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as first‐line therapy. Real‐world studies comparison of efficacy and safety in these two regimens are limited, we therefore conduct this study to investigate these issues.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients received lenvatinib (n = 46) and A + B (n = 46) as first‐line systemic therapy for unresectable HCC in a tertiary medical center. Objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was performed for baseline clinical features balance.

Results

A total of 92 patients with median age of 63.8 year‐old, 78.3% male, 85.9% viral hepatitis infected, 67.4% BCLC stage C were enrolled. The median treatment and follow‐up duration were 4.7 months and 9.4 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in ORR (26.1% vs. 41.3%, p = 0.1226), PFS (5.9 vs. 5.3 months, p = 0.4066), and OS (not reached vs. not reached, p = 0.7128) between the lenvatinib and A + B groups. After IPW, the results of survival and response rate were also compared. Subgroup analysis suggested that using lenvatinib was not inferior to A + B in regards of PFS, including those with elder, Child‐Pugh class B, beyond up‐to‐seven, or portal vein invasion VP4 patients. Among the lenvatinib treated patients, multivariate analysis showed patients elder than 65‐year‐old was an independent predictor associated with shorter PFS (adjust HR: 2.085[0.914–4.753], p = 0.0213). The incidence rates of adverse events were similar between two groups (76 vs. 63%, p = 0.1740). Both of two regimens had similarly few impact on liver function by comparison of baseline, third month, and sixth month albumin‐bilirubin index and Child‐Pugh score.

Conclusions

The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib are similar to A + B as a first‐line systemic therapy for unresectable HCC.
Air‐condition process for scalable fabrication of CdS/ZnS 1D/2D heterojunctions toward efficient and stable photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Teng Jie , Yang Hongli , Fang Zhi , Song Kai , Wang Lin , Hou Huilin , Lu Xianlu , Bowen Chris R. , Yang Weiyou
Published: December 2022

We report the scalable fabrication of CdS/ZnS 1D/2D heterojunctions under ambient air conditions (i.e., room temperature and atmospheric pressure) in which ZnS nanoparticles are anchored on the surface of CdS nanosheets. The as‐formed heterojunctions exhibit a significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 14.02 mmol h−1 g−1 when irradiated with visible light, which is ~10 and 85 times higher than those of pristine CdS nanosheets and CdS nanoparticles, respectively, and superior to most of the CdS‐based photocatalysts reported to date. Furthermore, they provide robust photocatalytic performance with demonstratable stability over 58 h, indicating their potential for practical applications. The formation of 1D/2D heterojunctions not only provides improved exposed active sites that respond to illumination but also provides a rapid pathway to generate photogenerated carriers for efficient separation and transfer through the matrix of single‐crystalline CdS nanosheets. In addition, first‐principles simulations demonstrate that the existence of rich Zn vacancies increases the energy level of the ZnS valence band maximum to construct type‐II and Z‐scheme mixed heterojunctions, which plays a critical role in suppressing the recombination of carriers with limited photocorrosion of CdS to enhance photocatalytic behavior.
Molecular Insights into Bifunctional Ambruticin DH3 for Substrate Specificity and Catalytic Mechanism
Authors: Du Zeqian , Li Yongzhen , Liu Yihan , Shi Ting
Published: December 2022

Dehydratase (DH), a domain located at polyketide synthase (PKS) modules, commonly catalyzes the dehydration of β‐hydroxy to an α,β‐unsaturated acyl intermediate. As a unique bifunctional dehydratase, AmbDH3 (the DH domain of module 3 of the ambruticin PKS) is verified to be responsible for both dehydration and the following pyran‐forming cyclization. Besides, in vitro studies showed that its catalytic efficiency varies with different chiral substrates. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of AmbDH3 remains unclear. In this work, the structural rationale for the substrate specificity (2R/2S‐ and 6R/6S‐substrates) in AmbDH3 was elucidated and the complete reaction pathways including dehydration and cyclization were presented. Both MD simulations and binding free energy calculations indicated AmbDH3 had a stronger preference for 2R‐substrates (2R6R‐2, 2R6S‐3) than 2S‐substrates (2S6R‐1), and residue H51 and G61 around the catalytic pocket were emphasized by forming stable hydrogen bonds with 2R‐substrates. In addition, AmbDH3’s mild tolerance at C6 was explained by comparison of substrate conformation and hydrogen bond network in 6S‐ and 6R‐substrate systems. The QM/MM results supported a consecutive one‐base dehydration and cyclization mechanism for 2R6S‐3 substrate with the energy barrier of 25.2 kcal mol−1 and 24.5 kcal mol−1, respectively. Our computational results uncover the substrate recognition and catalytic process of the first bifunctional dehydratase‐cyclase AmbDH3, which will shed light on the application of multifunctional DH domains in PKSs for diverse natural product analogs and benefit the chemoenzymatic synthesis of stereoselective pyran‐containing products.
Maytansinol Functionalization: Towards Useful Probes for Studying Microtubule Dynamics
Authors: Boiarska Zlata , Pérez‐Peña Helena , Abel Anne‐Catherine , Marzullo Paola , Álvarez‐Bernad Beatriz , Bonato Francesca , Santini Benedetta , Horvath Dragos , Lucena‐Agell Daniel , Vasile Francesca , Sironi Maurizio , Díaz J. Fernando , Prota Andrea E. , Pieraccini Stefano , Passarella Daniele
Published: December 2022

Maytansinoids are a successful class of natural and semisynthetic tubulin binders, known for their potent cytotoxic activity. Their wider application as cytotoxins and chemical probes to study tubulin dynamics has been held back by the complexity of natural product chemistry. Here we report the synthesis of long‐chain derivatives and maytansinoid conjugates. We confirmed that bulky substituents do not impact their high activity or the scaffold's binding mode. These encouraging results open new avenues for the design of new maytansine‐based probes.
Pulsed Electron‐Nuclear Double Resonance in the Fourier Regime
Authors: Dayan Nir , Artzi Yaron , Jbara Moamen , Cristea David , Blank Aharon
Published: December 2022

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides atomic‐level molecular structural information. However, in molecules containing unpaired electron spins, NMR signals are difficult to measure directly. In such cases, data is obtained using the electron‐nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) method, where nuclei are detected through their interaction with nearby unpaired electron spins. Unfortunately, electron spins spread the ENDOR signals, which challenges current acquisition techniques, often resulting in low spectral resolution that provides limited structural details. Here, we show that by using miniature microwave resonators to detect a small number of electron spins, integrated with miniature NMR coils, one can excite and detect a wide bandwidth of ENDOR data in a single pulse. This facilitates the measurement of ENDOR spectra with narrow lines spread over a large frequency range at much better spectral resolution than conventional approaches, which helps reveal details of the paramagnetic molecules’ chemical structure that were not accessible before.
Incidence and risk factors for medication‐related osteonecrosis after tooth extraction in cancer patients—A systematic review
Authors: Schwech Nurda , Nilsson Johanna , Gabre Pia
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Antiresorptive medication has been reported to be associated with medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This systematic review aims at investigating the incidence of and risk factors for MRONJ after tooth extractions in cancer patients treated with high‐dose bisphosphonate and denosumab (BP and DS).

Material and Methods

The protocol followed the PRISMA statement list and was registered in PROSPERO. Searches were performed for literature published up to April 2021 in the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL and then supplemented by manual research.

Results

The search process resulted in 771 identified articles, of which seven studies fitted the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. All were observational studies and four had control groups. A total of 550 patients treated with BP and DS were identified of whom 271 had received tooth extractions after medication onset. Due to significant heterogenicity in the collected data, only a qualitative analysis was performed. The MRONJ incidence after tooth extractions varied between 11% and 50% at the patient level. MRONJ occurred up to 3 years after the tooth extraction. Teeth affected by inflammation before the extraction and additional osteotomy during the surgical procedure were identified as risk factors.

Conclusions

Reliable methods of diagnosing MRONJ and adequate follow‐up periods are important factors in obtaining the actual incidence of MRONJ after tooth extractions in patients treated with high‐dose BP and DS.
A hybrid technique for the PAPR reduction of NOMA waveform
Authors: Kumar Arun , Gour Nidhi , Sharma Himanshu , Pareek Rajneesh
Published: December 2022

Non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a great contender for future cellular modulation due to its desirable properties like massive connectivity, high data rate transmission, and high spectral efficiency. However, its peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) is significant, which becomes a significant disadvantage for the efficient operability of the NOMA waveform compared to current techniques. Several PAPR reduction algorithms like selective mapping (SLM), partial transmission sequence (PTS), and companding techniques have been proposed to lower the PAPR of multicarrier waveforms (MCWs). PTS reduces the PAPR but has high complexity. On the other hand, SLM has a less complex framework, but its PAPR performance is not as efficient as PTS. Companding methods reduce the PAPR by compressing the signals at the transmitter, which unfortunately reduces the dynamic range of the signal. In this work, we propose a hybrid algorithm (SLM + PTS) with a companding method for the first time for the NOMA waveform, which efficiently reduces the PAPR with low computational complexity. Furthermore, we compare the performances of a host of candidate algorithms like SLM, PTS, hybrid (SLM + PTS), hybrid + A law (SLM–PTS–A law), and hybrid + Mu law (SLM–PTS–Mu law). The results of the experiments show that the hybrid + Mu law did a better job than the existing PAPR reduction algorithms.
Segregational instability of multicopy plasmids: A population genetics approach
Authors: Hernandez‐Beltran J. Carlos R. , Miró Pina Verónica , Siri‐Jégousse Arno , Palau Sandra , Peña‐Miller Rafael , González Casanova Adrián
Published: December 2022

Plasmids are extra‐chromosomal genetic elements that encode a wide variety of phenotypes and can be maintained in bacterial populations through vertical and horizontal transmission, thus increasing bacterial adaptation to hostile environmental conditions like those imposed by antimicrobial substances. To circumvent the segregational instability resulting from randomly distributing plasmids between daughter cells upon division, nontransmissible plasmids tend to be carried in multiple copies per cell, with the added benefit of exhibiting increased gene dosage and resistance levels. But carrying multiple copies also results in a high metabolic burden to the bacterial host, therefore reducing the overall fitness of the population. This trade‐off poses an existential question for plasmids: What is the optimal plasmid copy number? In this manuscript, we address this question by postulating and analyzing a population genetics model to evaluate the interaction between selective pressure, the number of plasmid copies carried by each cell, and the metabolic burden associated with plasmid bearing in the absence of selection for plasmid‐encoded traits. Parameter values of the model were estimated experimentally using Escherichia coli K12 carrying a multicopy plasmid encoding for a fluorescent protein and blaTEM‐1, a gene conferring resistance to β‐lactam antibiotics. By numerically determining the optimal plasmid copy number for constant and fluctuating selection regimes, we show that plasmid copy number is a highly optimized evolutionary trait that depends on the rate of environmental fluctuation and balances the benefit between increased stability in the absence of selection with the burden associated with carrying multiple copies of the plasmid.
Giant panda age recognition based on a facial image deep learning system
Authors: Qi Yu , Su Han , Hou Rong , Zang Hangxing , Liu Peng , He Mengnan , Xu Ping , Zhang Zhihe , Chen Peng
Published: December 2022

The conservation of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), as an iconic vulnerable species, has received great attention in the past few decades. As an important part of the giant panda population survey, the age distribution of giant pandas can not only provide useful instruction but also verify the effectiveness of conservation measures. The current methods for determining the age groups of giant pandas are mainly based on the size and length of giant panda feces and the bite value of intact bamboo in the feces, or in the case of a skeleton, through the wear of molars and the growth line of teeth. These methods have certain flaws that limit their applications. In this study, we developed a deep learning method to study age group classification based on facial images of captive giant pandas and achieved an accuracy of 85.99% on EfficientNet. The experimental results show that the faces of giant pandas contain some age information, which mainly concentrated between the eyes of giant pandas. In addition, the results also indicate that it is feasible to identify the age groups of giant pandas through the analysis of facial images.
Alien species affect the abundance and richness of native species in tropical forests: The role of adaptive strategies
Authors: Rojas‐Sandoval Julissa , Ackerman James D. , Marcano‐Vega Humfredo , Willig Michael R.
Published: December 2022

Understanding the role of alien species in forest communities, and how native and alien species interact to shape the composition and structure of contemporary forests, is of critical importance to invasion ecology and natural resource management. We used vegetation data collected over a 20‐year period in 341 permanent plots representing remnants of closed‐canopy forests and post‐agricultural secondary forests across Puerto Rico to compare changes in the composition and abundance of native and alien woody species in plots with and without aliens across different forest types and to assess whether aliens and natives show divergence or convergence regarding functional roles and ecological strategies. We also tested the applicability of Grime's CSR (competitive, stress‐tolerant, and ruderal strategies) theory to explain naturalization success. Species richness and abundance of natives are consistently lower in plots in which aliens are present compared with those without them. This negative association between aliens and natives has been consistent over the 20 years and across all forest types. Both native and total richness slightly increased over the 20 years, but the increase in native species richness was three times lower in plots with aliens relative to those without aliens. The CSR classification provided insight into the naturalization success of aliens. Corroborating the “join the locals” hypothesis, aliens use the same functional spaces as natives. The exception is in dry forests, where aliens and natives differ in the use of functional spaces, a result that corroborates the “try harder” hypothesis. Generally, aliens were better competitors compared with natives, and natives were more stress‐tolerant than aliens. Our combined results suggest that alien species may inhibit population growth or even drive local changes in native plant communities by transforming the assembly and dynamics of tropical forests. Ultimately, modifications linked to invasive species may have significant implications for local forests, affecting their regeneration and productivity. More definitive conclusions require additional plot censuses, and analyses of disturbance regimes and stand‐age structure to reveal the long‐term implications of alien species on regenerating tropical forests, including their vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity to cope with various aspects of climate change.
Cobalt Nanoparticles Formed upon Reaction of Cp*Co(III) Metallacycles with Na[BHEt3] Show Catalytic Activity in the Hydrosilylation of Aryl Ketones, Aldehydes and Nitriles
Authors: Antuña‐Hörlein Carmen , Wu Fule , Deraedt Christophe , Bouillet Corinne , Djukic Jean‐Pierre
Published: December 2022

The reactivity of the 2‐phenylpyridine‐derived [Cp*CoI(phpy‐κC,N)] metallacycle towards Et3SiH and hydrides was evaluated. The treatment of the same Co(III) complex with Na[BHEt3] resulted in its decomposition into cobalt nanoparticles. The hydride‐promoted decomposition of the metallacycle involves the transient formation of an elusive hydrido‐cobalt(III) intermediate, the traces of which were detected by1H NMR spectroscopy at sub‐ambient temperature. The Co nanoparticles produced from a 5 mol% and 10 mol% load of cobaltacycle and Na[BHEt3] respectively contain Co(0) that is responsible for the hydrosilylation by Et3SiH of arylketones into silylalkyl ethers. To minimize the residual side reduction of carbonyls by Na[BHEt3], a mixture of 5 mol% of the latter with 5 mol% of BEt3was found to produce optimal hydrosilylation yields at 40 °C in 2 h. Under similar conditions, several arylnitriles were mono‐hydrosilylated into N‐silyl‐imines in yields ranging from 68 to 100 %.
Total Synthesis of Resorcylic Acid Lactone (−)‐Neocosmosin A Using Palladium‐Catalyzed α‐Arylation of Enones as the Key Step
Authors: Pawar Govind Goroba , Kale Ajit Prabhakar , Sah Pooja , Kapur Manmohan
Published: December 2022

The total synthesis of the 14‐membered resorcylic acid lactone neocosmosin A is described. The key step in the synthesis is the palladium‐catalyzed α‐arylation of TES‐enol ethers of enones. The employment of the α‐arylation approach to this class of resorcylic acid lactones is a new approach, which has the scope of being generalized into a unified approach for the synthesis of this class of natural products.