bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Light–Matter Interaction and Polariton Relaxation by the Control of Molecular Orientation
Authors: Ishii Tomohiro , Bencheikh Fatima , Forget Sébastien , Chénais Sébastien , Heinrich Benoît , Kreher David , Sosa Vargas Lydia , Miyata Kiyoshi , Onda Ken , Fujihara Takashi , Kéna‐Cohen Stéphane , Mathevet Fabrice , Adachi Chihaya
Published: September 2021

Exciton‐polaritons, in which the electronic state of an excited organic molecule and a photonic state are strongly coupled, can form a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) at room temperature. However, so far, the reported thresholds of organic polariton BECs under optical excitation are as high asPth = 11–500 μJ cm–2. One route toward lowering the condensation threshold is to increase the Rabi energy by aligning the molecular transition dipole moments. In this report, it is demonstrated that control of the orientation of a perylene‐based discotic dye, which is able to self‐organize in mesogenic columnar structures, can significantly enhance exciton–photon interaction and polariton relaxation rate in optical cavities. These results show the importance of the molecular orientation for strong light–matter interactions and provide a promising strategy toward the realization of an organic low threshold polariton BEC system and electrically driven organic polariton BEC.
Ultra‐Thin Switchable Absorbers Based on Lossy Phase‐Change Materials
Authors: Heßler Andreas , Bente Ivonne , Wuttig Matthias , Taubner Thomas
Published: September 2021

Absorbers for infrared light are important optical components in key areas like biosensing, infrared imaging, and (thermal) light emission, with special need for thin and reconfigurable devices. Here, the authors demonstrate ultra‐thin, switchable infrared absorbers based on thin layers of chalcogenide phase‐change materials (PCMs) with high optical contrast between a lossless amorphous and an exceptionally lossy crystalline phase (Ge3Sb2Te6, Ge2Sb2Te4, Ge2SbTe4, Ag4In3Sb67Te26, and GeTe) on top of polar substrates (SiC, Al2O3, and SiO2). It is found that light is mainly absorbed in the substrate for amorphous PCMs, and in the thin layer for crystalline PCMs. Using the concept of admittance matching, the authors demonstrate dramatic layer thickness reduction by a factor f = πκ of up to 14 for high PCM extinction coefficients κ compared to classic λ/4 anti‐reflection coatings. The authors show continuous tuning of the maximum absorption wavelength by up to 2.5 µm in the epsilon‐near‐zero ranges of the substrates via annealing on a hot plate and optical switching. By selecting a suitable PCM‐substrate combination, the tuning range and its size can be shifted through the whole infrared range. The results demonstrate that exceptionally lossy PCMs show great potential for ultra‐thin, reconfigurable nanophotonic devices.
Deep‐Blue OLEDs Based on Organoboron–Phenazasiline‐Hybrid Delayed Fluorescence Emitters Concurrently Achieving 30% External Quantum Efficiency and Small Efficiency Roll‐Off
Authors: Park In Seob , Min Hyukgi , Kim Jong Uk , Yasuda Takuma
Published: September 2021

Deep‐blue organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) featuring thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) are experiencing growing demand, especially for full‐color display applications, as they can harvest both singlet and triplet excitons to achieve high electron‐to‐photon conversion efficiencies. However, deep‐blue TADF materials that can achieve sufficiently high electroluminescence (EL) efficiencies at a practical luminance and high emission color purity remain exceedingly rare. Herein, two deep‐blue TADF emitters are reported, OBO‐I and OBO‐II, combining a polycyclic organoboron and phenazasiline as weak electron acceptor and donor units, respectively. Both emitters exhibit efficient deep‐blue TADF, with high photoluminescence quantum yields of 81% and 98%, respectively, along with rather short emission lifetimes of ≈1 µs in their doped films. TADF‐OLEDs incorporating OBO‐II achieve extremely high maximum external EL quantum efficiencies of up to 33.8% in the blue color gamut. Furthermore, high EL efficiencies far exceeding 20% are retained, even at a high luminance of over 1000 cd m−2, indicating highly suppressed efficiency roll‐offs. The importance of the proposed fluorophore design, which combines proper weak donor and acceptor units possessing high triplet excited energies for ideal deep‐blue TADF, is highlighted by this study.
Room‐Temperature Low‐Voltage Control of Excitonic Emission in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers
Authors: Morozov Sergii , Wolff Christian , Mortensen N. Asger
Published: September 2021

Charge doping of materials with 2D and 3D quantum confinement is a flexible tool to tailor their excitonic emission. Here, using electron doping experiments on transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers, reversible tuning of charged exciton emission within a redshift of up to 75 meV is demonstrated by applying very modest voltages (corresponding roughly to the band gap of TMDs), while also controlling the radiative lifetime and intensity. It is found that the neutral exciton ionization dynamics at increasing electron doping follows the Fermi–Dirac distribution, which allows to determine the size of the band gap as well as to extract experimental values for effective masses of electrons and holes at room temperature. The tunable excitonic emission, preserving coherence at room temperature, holds great promise for quantum technologies requiring deterministic coupling with integrated photonic and plasmonic devices.
Gold‐Catalyzed Reactions of 2‐Alkynyl‐1‐indolyl‐1,2‐diols with Thiols: Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐α‐Indol‐3‐yl α‐(2‐Thioalkenyl) Ketones
Authors: Martínez‐Lara Fernando , Suárez Anisley , Velasco Noelia , Suárez‐Pantiga Samuel , Sanz Roberto
Published: September 2021

Propargylic glycols, 2‐alkynyl‐1‐(indol‐3‐yl)‐1,2‐diols, react with thiols undergoing a complex but selective gold‐catalyzed transformation that gives rise to α‐indol‐3‐yl α‐((Z)‐2‐thioalkenyl) ketones. The sequence is triggered by the regioselective thiolation of indolyl diols followed by an attack of the sulfur instead of the indole over the activated alkyne. The final compounds are obtained in remarkably high yields and arise from simple starting materials such as indolyl acyloins, ethynyl magnesium bromide and thiols.

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Investigation of FcRn‐Mediated Transepithelial Mechanisms for Oral Nanoparticle Delivery Systems
Authors: Yu Yinglan , Wu Zhanghan , Wu Jiawei , Shen Xinran , Wu Ruinan , Zhou Minglu , Li Lian , Huang Yuan
Published: September 2021

Oral delivery is the most widely used modality for drug administration, but its efficiency is hampered by the limited drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. To address this issue, neonatal‐Fc‐receptor‐targeted liposome (Fc domain‐binding peptide (FcBP)‐Lip) is designed in this study. It is discovered that FcBP modification, by adapting to longitudinal pH gradience of the intestine, increases the unidirectional transport of liposomes from the apical to the basolateral side of the intestinal epithelium. In addition, FcBP‐Lip circumvents the lysosomal sequestration and engages the endoplamic reticulum (ER)–Golgi secretion pathway, together contributing to another mechanism that enhances epithelium transcytosis. Moreover, it is discovered that FcBP‐Lip is subject to paracellular and lymphatic transportations by activating specific intracellular kinases and forming chylomicron, respectively. Owing to the vigorous involvement of the miscellaneous transepithelial transport pathways, oral absorption of FcBP‐Lip in vivo is significantly increased. Finally, the insulin that is encapsulated into FcBP‐Lip elicits a stronger hypoglycemic effect than the native form. Notably, insulin‐loaded FcBP‐Lip efficiently elevates hepatic insulin accumulation, insulin receptor level, and glycogen production, leading to blood glucose homeostasis in diabetic rats.
An Air Particulate Pollutant Induces Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration in Human Brain Models
Authors: Kang You Jung , Tan Hsih‐Yin , Lee Charles Y. , Cho Hansang
Published: September 2021

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a major component among air pollutants, highlights as a global health concern. Several epidemiological studies show the correlation between chronical PM2.5 exposure and incidents of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanisms have not been well understood, partly due to the lack of model systems that reflect the physiologically relevant innate immunity in human brains. Here, PM2.5‐polluted human brain models (PMBs) are created in a 3D microfluidic platform reconstituting key aspects of human brain immunity under the PM2.5 exposure. PM2.5 penetration across a blood–brain barrier (BBB) model and accumulation in the brain tissue side of the model are first validated. Second, the PMB model shows that the BBB‐penetrating PM2.5 initiates astrogliosis, resulting in slight neuronal loss and microglial infiltration. Third, it is demonstrated that the infiltrating microglia obtain M1 phenotype induced by interleukin‐1β and interferon‐γ from neurons and reactive astrocytes under the PM2.5 exposure. Finally, it is observed that additional proinflammatory mediators and nitric oxide released from the M1 microglia exacerbate neuronal damages, such as synaptic impairment, phosphoric tau accumulation, and neuronal death. This study suggests that PM2.5 can be a potential environmental risk factor for dementia mediated by the detrimental neuroinflammation.
A Deep Learning Perspective on Dropwise Condensation
Authors: Suh Youngjoon , Lee Jonggyu , Simadiris Peter , Yan Xiao , Sett Soumyadip , Li Longnan , Rabbi Kazi Fazle , Miljkovic Nenad , Won Yoonjin
Published: September 2021

Condensation is ubiquitous in nature and industry. Heterogeneous condensation on surfaces is typified by the continuous cycle of droplet nucleation, growth, and departure. Central to the mechanistic understanding of the thermofluidic processes governing condensation is the rapid and high‐fidelity extraction of interpretable physical descriptors from the highly transient droplet population. However, extracting quantifiable measures out of dynamic objects with conventional imaging technologies poses a challenge to researchers. Here, an intelligent vision‐based framework is demonstrated that unites classical thermofluidic imaging techniques with deep learning to fundamentally address this challenge. The deep learning framework can autonomously harness physical descriptors and quantify thermal performance at extreme spatio‐temporal resolutions of 300 nm and 200 ms, respectively. The data‐centric analysis conclusively shows that contrary to classical understanding, the overall condensation performance is governed by a key tradeoff between heat transfer rate per individual droplet and droplet population density. The vision‐based approach presents a powerful tool for the study of not only phase‐change processes but also any nucleation‐based process within and beyond the thermal science community through the harnessing of big data.
Chiral Hybrid Perovskite Single‐Crystal Nanowire Arrays for High‐Performance Circularly Polarized Light Detection
Authors: Liu Zhen , Zhang Chunhuan , Liu Xiaolong , Ren Ang , Zhou Zhonghao , Qiao Chan , Guan Yuwei , Fan Yuqing , Hu Fengqin , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: September 2021

Circularly polarized light (CPL) detection has emerged as a key technology for various optoelectronics. Chiral hybrid perovskites (CHPs) that combine CPL‐sensitive absorption induced by chiral organic ligands and superior photoelectric properties of perovskites are promising candidates for direct CPL detection. To date, most of the CHP detectors are made up of polycrystalline thin‐film, which results in a rather limited discrimination of CPL due to the existence of redundant impurities and intrinsic defect states originating from rapid crystallization process. Here, it is developed a direct CPL detector with high photocurrent and polarization selectivity based on low‐defect CHP single‐crystal nanowire arrays. Large‐scale CHP nanowires are obtained through a micropillar template‐assisted capillary‐bridge rise approach. Thanks to the high crystallinity and ordered crystallographic alignment of these arrays, a CPL photodetector with high light on/off ratio of 1.8 × 104, excellent responsivity of 1.4 A W−1, and an outstanding anisotropy factor of 0.24 for photocurrent has been achieved. These results would provide useful enlightenment for direct CPL detection in high‐performance chiral optoelectronics.
Realizing High‐Energy and Stable Wire‐Type Batteries with Flexible Lithium–Metal Composite Yarns
Authors: Gao Yuan , Hu Hong , Chang Jian , Huang Qiyao , Zhuang Qiuna , Li Peng , Zheng Zijian
Published: September 2021

High‐capacity and omnidirectionally flexible wire‐type lithium (Li)–metal batteries represent a feasible technology for the realization of electronic textiles. However, the use of commercially available Li–metal wires as anodes nowadays confronts many electrochemical and mechanical issues such as dendrite formation, low yield strength, and poor fatigue resistance. Here, a flexible and stable Li–metal composite yarn (LMCY) is designed via a fast capillary filling of molten Li into metallic carbon yarn for fabricating high‐energy‐density and long‐lasting wire‐type Li–metal batteries. LMCY shows outstanding electrochemical cyclic stability, mechanical strength, flexibility, and durability. Pairing lithium–iron phosphate (LFP) with the LMCY as anode results in a foldable LFP||Li full cell that delivers a high energy density over 290 Wh L−1 and a long lifetime over 800 cycles with a capacity retention of over 50% after 750 charge/discharge cycles. The seamless integration of this wire‐shape LFP||Li cell with commercial textiles is demonstrated as a built‐in power supply to wearable electronics, while maintaining the excellent breathability of the textiles. LMCYs are also adaptable to other high‐performance wire‐type batteries, such as lithium–sulfur battery.
Accordion‐Like Carbon with High Nitrogen Doping for Fast and Stable K Ion Storage
Authors: Zhang Wenli , Sun Minglei , Yin Jian , Lu Ke , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Qiu Xueqing , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: September 2021

Potassium ion battery (PIB) is a potential candidate for future large‐scale energy storage. A key challenge is that the (de)potassiation stability of graphitic carbon anodes is hampered by the limited (002) interlayer spacing. Amorphous carbon with a hierarchical structure can buffer the volume change during repeated (de)potassiation and enable stable cycling. Herein, a direct pyrolysis approach is demonstrated to synthesize a highly nitrogen‐doped (26.7 at.%) accordion‐like carbon anode composed of thin carbon nanosheets and a turbostratic crystalline structure. The hierarchical structure of accordion‐like carbon is endowed by a self‐assembly process during pyrolysis carbonization. The hierarchical nitrogen‐doped accordion structure enables a high reversible capacity of 346 mAh g−1 and superior cycling stability. This work constitutes a general synthesis methodology that can be used to prepare hierarchical carbon anodes for advanced PIBs.
Nitrogen determination in irrigated rice using spectral reflectance
Authors: dos Santos Marcos Paulo , Heinemann Alexandre Bryan , Stone Luís Fernando , da Matta David Henriques , de Castro João Rodrigo , dos Santos Alberto Baêta
Published: September 2021

Precision N management using optical radiation sensors is a promising management strategy. Using a combination of three spectral reflectance bands, 22 vegetation indices (VIs) were calculated and evaluated for their efficiency in estimating N status in irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) during growth stages. The results obtained here have showed a promising strategy to include crop stages as covariate in generalist models to predict the N status parameters for irrigated rice. This approach is interesting because it reduces the need for specific models, with different structures, for each crop stage. In addition, including crop stages as a covariate in the prediction models allows knowing the rice N status according to the crop stage, which is essential for efficient N management in commercial crops. The results obtained here show the beginning of vegetative stage (V1–V9) significantly affects the prediction of all N status parameters. The dry leaf biomass (DLB), leaf area index (LAI), leaf nitrogen uptake (LNU), and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) can be adequately predicted with combinations of just two VIs. These results show the importance of using active sensors with more than two fixed bands, preferably including a red‐edge band, for effective crop N status estimation.
De novo analysis reveals transcriptomic responses to heat stress in loquat leaves
Authors: Ma Shiwei , Lin Shoukai , Wu Bisha , Lin Hailan , Lin Dahe , Chen Yu , Lin Suying , Lin Shunquan , Wu Jincheng
Published: September 2021

Temperature has a vital impact on plant growth and development, and heat stress severely threatens agricultural productivity and food security. High temperatures can cause annual yield reductions and disease in loquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.]. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the heat stress response in loquat are not known. In this study, the transcriptome of loquat leaves in response to heat stress was sequenced and assembled de novo, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. A total of 16,120 and 11,668 DEGs were identified at 1 and 2 h posttreatment, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the DEGs were located in the membrane and endoplasmic reticulum and were related to signal transduction and protein modification. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the heat‐induced DEGs were mainly related to the activation of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and transcription. Ninety‐six heat shock proteins (HSPs) were also found in the protein processing pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum, and most HSPs were induced by heat stress. Heat shock transcription factors regulating the expression of downstream HSPs were induced by heat together with HSPs. This research provides insights into the mechanism of loquat plant heat stress tolerance and paves the way for heat‐tolerant loquat breeding.
Proposing ab initio assisted lattice distortion theory for phase equilibrium: Pure and mixed refrigerant gas hydrates
Authors: Thakre Niraj , Jana Amiya K.
Published: September 2021

With promising applications in cold storage and seawater desalination, various refrigerant gas hydrates are experimentally studied for their phase equilibrium behavior; however, the theoretical modeling to predict their formation conditions is under development. Although a high degree of lattice distortion is expected in these gas hydrates due to highly polar and nonspherical molecules of refrigerants, this issue is not addressed in the van der Waals–Platteeuw theory. With this research gap, we formulate a lattice distortion theory for both pure and mixed refrigerant hydrates. For the first time, ab initio methodology comprising the spin‐component scaled MP2 method with Dunning's basis set is implemented for estimating cavity potential of refrigerant hydrates. The extent of lattice distortion is documented in terms of reference chemical potential and enthalpy differences, which are obtained by regressing the Holder's equation with the experimental data of refrigerant hydrate formation. A critical observation is made that the reference properties linearly vary with the “Boltzmann weighted energy‐well depth” of the guest. Analyzing the accuracy of the model using average absolute relative deviation between experimental and predicted pressure of hydrate formation, the proposed lattice distortion model outperforms the existing thermodynamic models for variety of pure and mixed refrigerant hydrates.
Silver nanoparticles as an effective antimicrobial against otitis media pathogens
Authors: Ma Xiaojing , Lang Jiayan , Chen Pengyu , Yang Rong
Published: September 2021

Otitis Media (OM) is the most common reason for US children to receive prescribed oral antibiotics, leading to be a potential to cause antibiotic resistance. To minimize oral antibiotic usage, we developed polyvinylpyrrolidone‐coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs‐PVP), which completely eradicated common OM pathogens, that is, Streptococcus pneumoniae and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) at 1.04 and 2.13 μg/ml. The greater antimicrobial efficacy against S. pneumoniae was a result of the H2O2‐producing ability of S. pneumoniae and the known synergistic interactions between H2O2 and AgNPs. To enable the sustained local delivery of AgNPs‐PVP (e.g., via injection through perforated tympanic membranes), a hydrogel formulation of 18%(w/v) P407 was developed. Reverse thermal gelation of the AgNPs‐PVP‐P407 hydrogel could gel rapidly upon entering the warm auditory bullae and thereby sustained release of antimicrobials. This hydrogel‐based local delivery system completely eradicated OM pathogens in vitro without cytotoxicity, and thus represents a promising strategy for treating bacterial OM without relying on conventional antibiotics.
Geometry effect on membrane absorption for CO2 capture. Part I: A hybrid modeling approach
Authors: Fu Kaiyun , Wang Sunyang , Gu Zhenbin , Liu Yushu , Zai Tianming , Li Shijie , Chen Xianfu , Qiu Minghui , Fan Yiqun
Published: September 2021

Membrane absorption (MA) has a great prospect for CO2 capture. In MA modeling, conventional one‐dimensional (1D)‐ and two‐dimensional (2D)‐models make simplification of membrane contactor (MC) geometry. Geometry simplification allows an easy process modeling and numerical solution, however, is only reasonable for particular MCs. Here, efforts are underway to quantify the geometry effect on the MA‐CO2 performance. First, we proposed a rigorous 3D model without geometry simplification for simulating the MA‐CO2 process in real MCs and then validated it with experimental data. More importantly, we highlighted a preferable hybrid model in which two correction factors were introduced to a 2D model to make the simulation results approximately equal to the 3D simulation values. The correction factors were correlated with dimensionless fluid dynamic parameters for characterizing the geometry effects on flowing fluids. Such hybrid modeling contributes to characterizing the influence of geometry on the MA‐CO2 performance and improving computation accuracy‐efficiency combinations.
ACFD‐PBMcoupled model under entire turbulent spectrum for simulating a bubble column with highly viscous media
Authors: Zhang Huahai , Wang Yuelin , Sayyar Ali , Wang Tiefeng
Published: September 2021

To account for the effect of liquid viscosity, the bubble breakup model considering turbulent eddy collision based on the inertial subrange turbulent spectrum was extended to the entire turbulent spectrum that included the energy‐containing, inertial, and energy‐dissipation subranges. The computational fluid dynamics‐population balance model coupled model was modified to include this extended bubble breakup model for simulations of a bubble column. The effect of turbulent energy spectrum on the bubble breakup and hydrodynamic behaviors was studied in a bubble column under different liquid viscosities. The results showed that when the liquid viscosity was <80 mPa s, the bubble breakup and hydrodynamics were almost independent on the turbulent spectrum. At liquid viscosity >80 mPa s, the bubble breakup rate and gas holdup were significantly under‐predicted when the inertial turbulent spectrum was used, and when using the entire turbulent spectrum the predictions were more consistent with experimental data.
A Modular and Self‐Contained Fluidic Engine for Soft Actuators
Authors: Bell Michael A. , Gorissen Benjamin , Bertoldi Katia , Weaver James C. , Wood Robert J.
Published: September 2021

Fluidic actuation in soft robots traditionally requires a complex assemblage of pumps, regulators, valves, and sensors, often resulting in large and bulky support systems. This added bulk can often hinder a robot's ability to be untethered, perform complex tasks, or bring challenges when it comes to maintenance or upgradeability. To address these limitations, herein, a simple and highly modular bidirectional soft robotic appendage is presented that integrates the pump, flow lines, and actuator into a compact, closed hydraulic system, which is driven by an integrated stepper motor, allowing for positional control and fast response times. The actuator can also be swapped in under five seconds, allowing for rapid reconfiguration. Each component has been thoroughly characterized to determine an overall electrical to mechanical efficiency of the system, and from these calculations, it is demonstrated that the actuator utilizes only 1/15th the required energy to achieve a specific bending angle, and is four‐fold more power‐efficient than similar‐sized soft actuators and pumping systems reported in the literature. The integrated actuator and fluidic engine construct presented here thus represents a major departure from previous soft actuator control platforms in that everything is simplified down to a single self‐contained unit, demonstrating unparalleled versatility and modularity.
The relationship between offspring's 2D:4D ratio and postpartum maternal circulating testosterone, estradiol, and their indices in a Ghanaian population
Authors: Banyeh Moses , Amidu Nafiu , Quaye Lawrence
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The 2D:4D ratio is influenced by prenatal testosterone (PT) and estrogen (PE) exposure in utero. This study sought to determine whether evidence of Manning's hypothesis can still be observed even in the postpartum period. We hypothesize that the offspring 2D:4D ratios will be inversely correlated with maternal postpartum circulating testosterone but positively correlated with estradiol.

Methods

This study was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 and was cross‐sectional in nature. There were 272 mother‐offspring pairs; the mothers were aged between 18 and 36 years while the median (IQR) age of their offspring was 111 (44–210) days. Offspring right (2D:4DR) and left (2D:4DL) digit ratios were measured using computer‐assisted analysis. Sampling was done at 111 (44–210) days postpartum and blood was analyzed for total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2) and sex hormone‐binding globulins using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Results

The 2D:4DR of sons was significantly lower compared to daughters (p = .031). Mothers with sons had significantly increased levels of serum TT (p = .001) while mothers with daughters had significantly increased levels of E2 (p = .000). As hypothesized, the maternal serum free testosterone (FT%) was inversely correlated with their daughters' (r = −0.320, p = .003), and also with their sons' (r = −0.213, p = .047), 2D:4DL. Unexpectedly, daughters' 2D:4DL was inversely correlated with maternal circulating free E2 (r = −0.255, p = .015).

Conclusions

In humans, evidence of the relationship between maternal testosterone levels and their offspring's 2D:4D ratio may persist even into the postpartum period.
NDE1‐related disorders: A recurrent NDE1 pathogenic variant causing Lissencephaly 4 can also be associated with microhydranencephaly
Authors: Bas Hasan , Saylisoy Suzan , Cilingir Oguz , Gokalp Ebru Erzurumluoglu , Kocagil Sinem , Yarar Coskun , Aras Beyhan Durak , Artan Sevilhan
Published: September 2021

NudE Neurodevelopment Protein 1 (NDE1) gene encodes a protein required for microtubule organization, mitosis, and neuronal migration. Biallelic pathogenic variants of NDE1 gene are associated with structural central nervous system abnormalities, specifically microlissencephaly and microhydranencephaly. The root of these different phenotypes remains unclear. Here, we report a 20‐year‐old male patient referred to our clinics due to severe microcephaly, developmental delay, spastic quadriplegia, and dysmorphic features. The cranial computed tomography revealed abnormal brain structure and excess of cerebrospinal fluid, consistent with microhydranencephaly. A homozygous c.684_685del, p.(Pro229TrpfsTer85) change in NDE1 gene was found by clinical exome analysis. The variant has previously been reported in individuals with microlissencephaly, therefore we propose that the same variant within the gene may cause either microlissencephaly or microhydranencephaly phenotypes. There are only a few papers about NDE1‐related disorders in the literature and the patient we described is important to clarify the phenotypic spectrum of the disease.
Mesenteric cysts, lymphatic leak, and cerebral cavernous malformation in a proband with KRIT1‐related disease
Authors: Moller‐Hansen Ashley , Huynh Stephanie , Boerkoel Cornelius F. , Chin Hui‐Lin
Published: September 2021

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) of the central nervous system arise sporadically or secondary to genomic variation. Established genetic etiologies include deleterious variants in KRIT1 (CCM1), malcavernin (CCM2), and PDCD10 (CCM3). KRIT1‐related disease has not been described in conjunction with lymphatic defects, although lymphatic defects with abnormal endothelial cell junctions have been observed in mice deficient in HEG1‐KRIT1 signaling. We report a proband with CCMs, multiple chylous mesenteric cysts, and chylous ascites with leaky lymphatic vasculature. Clinical short‐read exome sequencing detected a disease‐associated KRIT1 variant (NM_194456.1:c.[1927C>T];[=], p.(Gln643*)). We postulate an expansion of KRIT1‐related disease to include lymphatic malformations and lymphatic endothelial dysfunction.
Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome: From a detailed clinical and radiological observation of a boy with a novel missense variant in MAP3K7
Authors: Minatogawa Mari , Miyake Noriko , Tsukahara Yoshinori , Tanabe Yuko , Uchiyama Takamichi , Matsumoto Naomichi , Kosho Tomoki
Published: September 2021

Cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome (CSCF; OMIM#157800) is characterized by growth impairment, failure to thrive in infancy, multiple valvular disease, carpal and tarsal fusions, vertebral fusions, and joint hypermobility. It is caused by pathogenic variants of MAP3K7, which encodes transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase family (MAPKKK). Only eight individuals with molecularly confirmed CSCF have been reported. Here, we report the first Asian CSCF male with a novel missense variant of MAP3K7 (NM_145331.3: c.467A > T: p.Asp156Val). We compared and reviewed the clinical and molecular findings in previously reported CSCF cases and the present case to better delineate the phenotype of CSCF. In addition to the main symptoms of CSCF, the present case had a mixed phenotype of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Noonan syndrome. Taking this case together with the previously reported cases, CSCF may overlap with the phenotypes of EDS and Noonan syndrome, suggesting that this finding may contribute to diagnosing CSCF. Another major achievement of this research is to successfully capture the process of carpal fusion in a CSCF case radiographically. This work may expand the phenotypic spectrum of CSCF.
Review of 37 patients with SOX2 pathogenic variants collected by the Anophthalmia/Microphthalmia Clinical Registry and DNA research study
Authors: Amlie‐Wolf Louise , Bardakjian Tanya , Kopinsky Sarina M. , Reis Linda M. , Semina Elena V. , Schneider Adele
Published: September 2021

SOX2 variants and deletions are a common cause of anophthalmia and microphthalmia (A/M). This article presents data from a cohort of patients with SOX2 variants, some of whom have been followed for 20+ years. Medical records from patients enrolled in the A/M Research Registry and carrying SOX2 variants were reviewed. Thirty‐seven patients were identified, ranging in age from infant to 30 years old. Eye anomalies were bilateral in 30 patients (81.1%), unilateral in 5 (13.5%), and absent in 2 (5.4%). Intellectual disability was present in all with data available and ranged from mild to profound. Seizures were noted in 18 of 27 (66.6%) patients, usually with abnormal brain MRIs (10/15, 66.7%). Growth issues were reported in 14 of 21 patients (66.7%) and 14 of 19 (73.7%) had gonadotropin deficiency. Genitourinary anomalies were seen in 15 of 19 (78.9%) male patients and 5 of 15 (33.3%) female patients. Patients with SOX2 nucleotide variants, whole gene deletions or translocations are typically affected with bilateral or unilateral microphthalmia and anophthalmia. Other associated features include intellectual disability, seizures, brain anomalies, growth hormone deficiency, gonadotropin deficiency, and genitourinary anomalies. Recommendations for newly diagnosed patients with SOX2 variants include eye exams, MRI of the brain and orbits, endocrine and neurology examinations. Since the clinical spectrum associated with SOX2 alleles has expanded beyond the originally reported phenotypes, we propose a broader term, SOX2‐associated disorder, for this condition.
Investigating perceived heritability of mental health disorders and attitudes toward genetic testing in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia
Authors: Morosoli José Juan , Colodro‐Conde Lucía , Barlow Fiona Kate , Medland Sarah E.
Published: September 2021

Our beliefs about the heritability of psychiatric traits may influence how we respond to the use of genetic information in this area. In the present study, we aim to inform future education campaigns as well as genetic counseling interventions by exploring common fears and misunderstandings associated with learning about genetic predispositions for mental health disorders. We surveyed 3,646 genetic research participants from Australia, and 960 members of the public from the United Kingdom, and the United States, and evaluated attitudes toward psychiatric genetic testing. Participants were asked hypothetical questions about their interest in psychiatric genetic testing, perceived usefulness of psychiatric genetic testing, and beliefs about malleability of behavior, among others. We also asked them to estimate the heritability of alcohol dependence, schizophrenia, and major depression. We found a high interest in psychiatric genetic testing. In most cases, more than a third of the participants showed serious concerns related to learning about personal genetic predisposition, such as not wanting to have children if they knew they had a high genetic predisposition, or not wanting to choose a partner with a high genetic predisposition for a mental health problem. Finally, we found a significant association between most participants' attitudes and their lay estimates of heritability, which highlights the complexity of educating the public about genetics.
Neuropathological Variability within a Spectrum of NMDAR‐Encephalitis
Authors: Zrzavy Tobias , Endmayr Verena , Bauer Jan , Macher Stefan , Mossaheb Nilufar , Schwaiger Carmen , Ricken Gerda , Winklehner Michael , Glatter Sarah , Breu Markus , Wimmer Isabella , Kovacs Gabor G. , Risser Daniele U. , Klupp Nikolaus , Simonitsch‐Klupp Ingrid , Roetzer Thomas , Rommer Paulus , Berger Thomas , Gelpi Ellen , Lassmann Hans , Graus Francesc , Dalmau Josep , Höftberger Romana
Published: September 2021

Objective

To describe the neuropathological features of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR)‐encephalitis in an archival autopsy cohort.

Methods

We examined four autopsies from patients with NMDAR‐encephalitis; two patients were untreated, three had comorbidities: small cell lung cancer, brain post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), and overlapping demyelination.

Results

The two untreated patients had inflammatory infiltrates predominantly composed of perivascular and parenchymal CD3+/CD8− T cells and CD79a+ B cells/plasma cells in basal ganglia, amygdala, and hippocampus with surrounding white matter. The hippocampi showed a significant decrease of NMDAR‐immunoreactivity that correlated with disease severity. The patient with NMDAR‐encephalitis and immunosuppression for kidney transplantation developed a brain monomorphic PTLD. Inflammatory changes were compatible with NMDAR‐encephalitis. Additionally, plasma cells accumulated in the vicinity of the necrotic tumor along with macrophages and activated microglia that strongly expressed pro‐inflammatory activation markers HLA‐DR, CD68, and IL18. The fourth patient developed demyelinating lesions in the setting of a relapse 4 years after NMDAR‐encephalitis. These lesions exhibited the hallmarks of classic multiple sclerosis with radially expanding lesions and remyelinated shadow plaques without complement or immunoglobulin deposition, compatible with a pattern I demyelination.

Interpretation

The topographic distribution of inflammation in patients with NMDAR‐encephalitis reflects the clinical symptoms of movement disorders, abnormal behavior, and memory dysfunction with inflammation dominantly observed in basal ganglia, amygdala, and hippocampus, and loss of NMDAR‐immunoreactivity correlates with disease severity. Co‐occurring pathologies influence the spatial distribution, composition, and intensity of inflammation, which may modify patients’ clinical presentation and outcome. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:725–737
Giant Nonlinear Circular Dichroism from High Q‐Factor Asymmetric Lithium Niobate Metasurfaces
Authors: Liu Qing‐Song , Cheng Bo , Chao Ming‐Hao , Zhang Wen‐Jing , Xu Yun , Song Guo‐Feng
Published: September 2021

Lithium niobate (LN) is a good nonlinear material with a large second‐order nonlinear polarization coefficient and low optical loss in the UV to mid‐infrared spectral regions. By combining bound states in the continuum (BICs) with chirality, a high conversion efficiency and strong second‐harmonic circular dichroism (SHG‐CD) can be achieved. The simulated results show that the SHG conversion efficiency can reach 1.35 × 10−2% for a peak‐pump intensity of ≈5.3 GW cm−2 in the near‐infrared, and the SHG‐CD can reach 0.98 by introducing a two‐layer structure. Quasi‐BICs are introduced to study nonlinear CD, which provide new insights for the further implementation of spin‐dependent nonlinear applications.
A Solvatochromic Fluorescent Probe Reveals Polarity Heterogeneity upon Protein Aggregation in Cells
Authors: Wan Wang , Zeng Lianggang , Jin Wenhan , Chen Xinxin , Shen Di , Huang Yanan , Wang Mengdie , Bai Yulong , Lyu Haochen , Dong Xuepeng , Gao Zhenming , Wang Lei , Liu Xiaojing , Liu Yu
Published: September 2021

We report a crystallization‐induced emission fluorophore to quantitatively interrogate the polarity of aggregated proteins. This solvatochromic probe, namely “AggRetina” probe, inherently binds to aggregated proteins and exhibits both a polarity‐dependent fluorescence emission wavelength shift and a viscosity‐dependent fluorescence intensity increase. Regulation of its polarity sensitivity was achieved by extending the conjugation length. Different proteins bear diverse polarity upon aggregation, leading to different resistance to proteolysis. Polarity primarily decreases during protein misfolding but viscosity mainly increases upon the formation of insoluble aggregates. We quantified the polarity of aggregated protein‐of‐interest in live cells via HaloTag bioorthogonal labeling, revealing polarity heterogeneity within cellular aggregates. The enriched micro‐environment details inside misfolded and aggregated proteins may correlate to their bio‐chemical properties and pathogenicity.
Comparison of ISO 14902:2001 with AOCS Ba 12a‐2020 for determining trypsin inhibitor activity in protein products
Authors: Liu Keshun
Published: September 2021

For measuring trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), there are two major official methods: American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) method Ba 12a‐2020 and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14902:2001. The former was recently approved. The two methods differ in sample preparation, extraction, colorimetric assay systems and TIA calculations. In this study, the two methods were symmetrically compared using three unique sets of samples: assorted protein products of soybeans, pulses, and grains; soybeans boiled for varied durations; and soy white flakes toasted for varied durations. For given samples, significant differences existed in TIA measured by the two methods, resulting from effects related to the assay systems and TIA calculations, not from the difference in sample preparation and extraction. When the same trypsin was used, TIA (in mg trypsin inhibited/g sample) measured by the two methods were highly correlated (r = 0.9973, n = 27), giving an equation of y = 0.5464x − 0.4887, where y represents ISO values and x for AOCS values. The line connecting ratios of ISO/AOCS in TIA and AOCS values remained relatively flat around 0.53 but started to curve down when TIA approached the lowest. Furthermore, for the same samples, TIA values measured by the ISO method decreased with increasing specific activity of trypsin used, while AOCS values remained consistent, leading to decreasing ratios of ISO/AOCS. Therefore, accurate and direct comparison of the two methods was impossible. It could not be resolved by simply changing ISO method's calculations as hypothesized earlier. Regardless, for most samples, ISO values were roughly about 55% of AOCS values.
Synthesis and characterization of trace aromatic copolyamide 6 with tunable mechanical and viscoelastic behavior
Authors: Chen Yu‐Hao , Lee Yi‐Huan , Rwei Syang‐Peng
Published: September 2021

Bis(6‐aminohexyl) terephthalamide/adipic acid (BAHT‐AA) was chosen to be used as a comonomer to develop a novel polyamide 6 (PA6) with the trace‐content aromatic structure. A series of polyamide 6 copolymers (coPA6) with trace BAHT‐AA loading were synthesized to yield the modified copolyamides with multiple interactions of hydrogen bonding and π‐π stacking on the PA6 backbone. It was proved that the thermal stability and mechanical properties of coPA6 were significantly enhanced because of the introduction of the trace BAHT‐AA segment. More importantly, adding a trace (1, 2, and 4 mole%) of BAHT‐AA could effectively increase the network structure and highly decrease the free volume fraction in the polymer system that is proved by the relaxation behavior and melt viscoelastic behavior. The results showed that the integrated performances of coPA6 were better than that of pure PA6, which was highly correlated with the aforementioned multiple interactions. For example, outstanding tensile strength (73.0 vs. 56.8 MPa), and modulus (1167 vs. 929 MPa), and so on. This work provided the traditional PA6 with the modification of outstanding mechanical and thermal performances, thus expanding its application for the plastics and textile industries.
Pepsin immobilization by electrospinning of poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers
Authors: Loredo‐Alejos Julia M. , Lucio‐Porto Raul , Pavón Luis Lopez , Moreno‐Cortez Ivan E.
Published: September 2021

The enzyme pepsin (E.C. 3.4.23.1, strength ≥400 μ/mg) was immobilized in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers for the first time by the electrospinning technique. The morphology of the nanofibers analyzed by SEM showed a diameter in the nanometric range of 70–165 nm. The presence of pepsin in the nanofibrous matrix was proved by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The immobilization process was carried out through crosslinking by exposure to glutaraldehyde (GA) vapor. The thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed the effect of crosslinking time and enzyme concentration on the glass transition temperature (Tg) and heat of fusion (Hf) of the nanofibrous matrix. The optimum catalytic performance of the immobilized pepsin was reached at pH 3, 1 h of crosslinking and 25% of enzyme concentration. The enzymatic activity of immobilized pepsin reached 96% of the crude enzyme. The immobilization process allowed 4 cycles of reuse and up to 10 days of storage for the crosslinked samples. PVA nanofibers was successfully used as vehicle for the encapsulation and immobilization of the pepsin enzyme.
The evolution of epistemological methodologies in anatomy: From antiquity to modern times
Authors: Ghosh Sanjib Kumar
Published: September 2021

Present day scenario regarding epistemological methods in anatomy is in sharp contrast to the situation during ancient period. This study aimed to explore the evolution of epistemological methodologies in anatomy across centuries. In ancient times Egyptian embalmers acquired anatomical knowledge from handling human bodies and likewise anatomical studies in India involved human dissection. Ancient Greeks used theological principles‐based methods, animal dissection and human dissection in practice of anatomy. Human dissection was also practiced in ancient China for gaining anatomical knowledge. Prohibition of human dissection led to use of animal dissection in ancient Rome and the trend continued in Europe through Middle Ages. Epistemological methods used by Muslim scholars during Middle Ages are not clearly chronicled. Human dissection returned as primary epistemological method in Renaissance Europe and empirical methods were reinstated after ancient period in human dissection during 16th century. The situation further improved with introduction of pragmatic experiment based approach during 17th century and autopsy‐based methods during 18th century. Advances in anatomical knowledge continued with advent of microscope‐based methods and emergence of anatomical sections in practice of human dissection in 19th century. Introduction of human observational studies, medical imaging, and molecular methods presented more options in terms of epistemological methods for investigating the human body during 20th century. Onset of 21st century has witnessed dominance of technology‐based methods in anatomy. Limited emphasis on ethics in epistemological methodologies since antiquity is a dark aspect of otherwise an eventful evolutionary journey but recent developments are in positive direction.
1,2,3‐Triazole hybrids as anticancer agents: A review
Authors: Alam Mohammad Mahboob
Published: September 2021

Despite the advancements in the development of anticancer agents, more effective and safer anticancer drugs still need to be developed as the current agents cause unwanted side effects and many patients have become drug resistant. 1,2,3‐Triazoles, due to their remarkable biological potential, have received considerable attention in drug discovery for the development of anticancer agents. The present review article presents an overview of the recent advances in 1,2,3‐triazole hybrids with anticancer potential over the last 2 years, their chemical structures, structure–activity relationships, and mechanisms of action, as well as insights into the docking studies.
Estimation of Li‐Ion Degradation Test Sample Sizes Required to Understand Cell‐to‐Cell Variability**
Authors: Dechent Philipp , Greenbank Samuel , Hildenbrand Felix , Jbabdi Saad , Sauer Dirk Uwe , Howey David A.
Published: September 2021

Ageing of lithium‐ion batteries results in irreversible reduction in performance. Intrinsic variability between cells, caused by manufacturing differences, occurs throughout life and increases with age. Researchers need to know the minimum number of cells they should test to give an accurate representation of population variability, since testing many cells is expensive. In this paper, empirical capacity versus time ageing models were fitted to various degradation datasets for commercially available cells assuming the model parameters could be drawn from a larger population distribution. Using a hierarchical Bayesian approach, we estimated the number of cells required to be tested. Depending on the complexity, ageing models with 1, 2 or 3 parameters respectively required data from at least 9, 11 or 13 cells for a consistent fit. This implies researchers will need to test at least these numbers of cells at each test point in their experiment to capture manufacturing variability.