bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban nature visitation, accessibility, and impact of travel distance for sustainable cities
Authors: Talal Michelle L. , Gruntman Michal
Published: October 2023

Accessible urban nature is a key component of creating sustainable urban communities and promoting human health and well-being. To balance the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, the United Nations adopted several sustainable developmental goals (SDGs), such as SDG 11 for sustainable cities and communities, which aims to improve urban planning and management, including equitable access to urban nature. However, more information is still needed regarding how planners and managers can promote urban nature visitation and equitable access during health and environmental crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in urban nature visitation during the pandemic and then to determine if the effect of the pandemic on the frequency of urban nature site visitation varied by distance to home, using an innovative approach of analyzing both publicly available large-scale mobility data and a web-based survey of urban residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. The mobility data results showed that there was a negative mean % difference in park visits compared to baseline during the first and third lockdowns, but an increase compared to baseline between lockdowns and even during the second lockdown. This suggests that urban residents had greater need to reconnect with urban nature during and after periods of intense stress. In addition, the survey results showed an increasing negative effect of distance on urban nature site visitation during the pandemic, specifically for urban nature sites located more than 1 km from home. Altogether, the mobility data and survey results suggest that people who lived within 1 km of their preferred urban nature site had disproportionate access to the benefits of urban nature during and after lockdowns than others. To effectively make social and ecological transitions toward urban sustainability, it is vital that cities promote urban nature accessibility during current and future environmental and health crises. Cities should collaborate with diverse stakeholders to create/maintain accessible urban nature sites nearby all sociodemographic groups, provide sustainability education and training to convey the benefits of urban nature, and pursue participatory solutions for understanding urban nature needs and preferences. In this manner, it will be possible to address the growing influence of proximity/travel distance and additional factors that affect urban nature visitation and ultimately, human health and urban sustainability.
Contributions of viral oncogenes of HPV-18 and hypoxia to oxidative stress and genetic damage in human keratinocytes
Authors: Hochmann Jimena , Millán Magdalena , Hernández Paola , Lafon-Hughes Laura , Aiuto Natali D’ , Silva Alejandro , Llaguno Juan , Alonso Julia , Fernández Ariel , Pereira-Prado Vanesa , Sotelo-Silveira José , Bologna-Molina Ronell , Arocena Miguel
Published: October 2023

Infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses like HPV-16 and HPV-18 is highly associated with the development of cervical and other cancers. Malignant transformation requires viral oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7, which promote cell proliferation and increase DNA damage. Oxidative stress and hypoxia are also key factors in cervical malignant transformation. Increased levels of reactive species of oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) are found in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, promoting genetic instability and invasiveness. In this work, we studied the combined effect of E5, E6 and E7 and hypoxia in increasing oxidative stress and promoting DNA damage and nuclear architecture alterations. HaCaT cells containing HPV-18 viral oncogenes (HaCaT E5/E6/E7-18) showed higher ROS levels in normoxia and higher levels of RNS in hypoxia compared to HaCaT parental cells, as well as higher genetic damage in hypoxia as measured by γH2AX and comet assays. In hypoxia, HaCaT E5/E6/E7-18 increased its nuclear dry mass and both cell types displayed marked heterogeneity in nuclear dry mass distribution and increased nuclear foci. Our results show contributions of both viral oncogenes and hypoxia to oxidative stress, DNA damage and altered nuclear architecture, exemplifying how an altered microenvironment combines with oncogenic transformation to promote tumor progression.
An S-band multimode reflector antenna for a satellite constellation tracking system
Authors: Wu Handong , Ren Yuhui , Wang Yingying , Zhang Kai
Published: October 2023

A multimode reflector antenna is a new concept proposed by our team in recent years, which does not correspond to the use of the traditional multimode feed but to innovation in the reflector design. This paper presents anS-band multimode reflector antenna based on multimode reflector theory. To achieve a flat-top beam shape, the main reflector of the antenna is divided into a middle region and an edge region. The height difference between them is approximatelyλ0/4, and then, the reflected waves in different areas partially cancel out in the direction of maximum radiation. The voltage standing wave ratio of the antenna is less than 1.5 from 2.8 to 3.4 GHz (19.4%), and the gain is more than 29.2 dB in the same frequency band. At the same time, a good flat-top beam is achieved in the range of ± 2°. The antenna can be used for satellite constellation tracking and other systems that require high-gain flat-top beams.
Chemical applicability and computation of K-Banhatti indices for benzenoid hydrocarbons and triazine-based covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Shanmukha M. C. , Ismail Rashad , Gowtham K. J. , Usha A. , Azeem Muhammad , Al-Sabri Esmail Hassan Abdullatif
Published: October 2023

The novel applications in chemistry include the mathematical models of molecular structure of the compounds which has numerous findings in this area that refers to mathematical chemistry. Topological descriptors play a major role in QSAR/QSPR studies that analyses the biological and physicochemical properties of the compounds. In the recent times, a new type of topological descriptors are proposed, called K-Banhatti indices. In this study the chemical applicability of K-Banhatti indices are examined for benzenoid hydrocarbons (derivatives of benzene). These indices have shown remarkable results through the study of statistical analysis. Subsequently, triazine-based covalent organic frameworks (CoF’s) are studied for which $$B_1(G)$$

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Estimation of health risk and economic loss attributable to PM2.5 and O3 pollution in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Ma Yuxia , Zhang Yifan , Wang Wanci , Qin Pengpeng , Li Heping , Jiao Haoran , Wei Jing
Published: October 2023

Ambient pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3), pose significant risks to both public health and economic development. In recent years, PM2.5 concentration in China has decreased significantly, whereas that of O3 has increased rapidly, leading to considerable health risks. In this study, a generalized additive model was employed to establish the relationship of PM2.5 and O3 exposure with non-accidental mortality across 17 districts and counties in Jilin Province, China, over 2015–2016. The health burden and economic losses attributable to PM2.5 and O3 were assessed using high-resolution satellite and population data. According to the results, per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and O3 concentrations related to an overall relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 1.004 (1.001–1.007) and 1.009 (1.005–1.012), respectively. In general, the spatial distribution of mortality and economic losses was uneven. Throughout the study period, a total of 23,051.274 mortalities and 27,825.015 million Chinese Yuan (CNY) in economic losses were attributed to O3 exposure, which considerably surpassing the 5,450.716 mortalities and 6,553,780 million CNY in economic losses attributed to PM2.5 exposure. The O3-related health risks and economic losses increased by 3.75% and 9.3% from 2015 to 2016, while those linked to PM2.5 decreased by 23.33% and 18.7%. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that changes in pollutant concentrations were the major factors affecting mortality rather than baseline mortality and population.
Prognostic value of controlling nutritional status on clinical and survival outcomes in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Jiacheng , Li Man , Zhang Lilong , Kuang Tianrui , Yu Jia , Wang Weixing
Published: October 2023

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Immunotherapy has shown promise in treating various types of cancer, but its effectiveness varies among patients. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score has been linked to the prognosis of different cancers. However, its predictive value for immunotherapy outcomes is not well understood. Our research represents the pioneering meta-study to examine the prognostic value of the CONUT score on cancer patients treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The study was conducted until July 28, 2023. This analysis encompassed a comprehensive evaluation of various clinical outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). 663 patients from 8 studies were included in this study. It showed that cancer patients with high CONUT score had poorer OS (HR: 1.94, 95% CI, 1.52–2.47, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR: 2.22, 95% CI, 1.48–3.31, p < 0.001), as well as worse ORR (OR: 0.46, 95% CI, 0.25–0.85, p = 0.013) and DCR (HR: 0.29, 95% CI, 0.14–0.59, p = 0.001). The CONUT score can predict the prognosis of tumor patients treated with ICIs.
Enhanced surface temperature over India during 1980–2020 and future projections: causal links of the drivers and trends
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Kuttippurath Jayanarayanan , Gopikrishnan G. S. , Kumar Pankaj , Varikoden Hamza
Published: October 2023

The Earth’s surface temperatures have increased significantly since the beginning of industrialisation. The high emissions of greenhouse gases have contributed to global warming and climate change, which is expected to continue. Here, we investigate the long-term trends of surface temperature in India using surface, satellite and reanalysis data for the period of 1980–2020, and assess the influence of geophysical drivers on temperature change using the causal discovery. The highest mean surface temperatures are observed in the southern India and the lowest in Himalaya in accordance with the incidence of solar radiation. Causal discovery reveals the relative influence of atmospheric processes, aerosols and specific humidity on surface temperature. We observe a positive trend in temperature during pre-monsoon (0.1–0.3 °C dec−1) and post-monsoon (0.2–0.4 °C dec−1) seasons in the northwest, northeast and north-central India. The analysis exposes high annual (0.22 ± 0.14 °C dec−1) and monsoon (0.24 ± 0.08 °C dec−1) warming in the northeast India. Post-monsoon season shows a positive trend in the entire India, where the highest value is estimated for the western Himalaya (0.2–0.5 °C dec−1) and northeast India (0.1–0.4 °C dec−1). Analyses with the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) results show that temperature can increase up to 1.1–5.1 °C by year 2100 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP5)–8.5 scenario. The increasing trend of temperature in India is a big concern, which calls for adaption and mitigation measures to alleviate adverse effects of accelerated warming and regional climate change.
Nucleoporin downregulation modulates progenitor differentiation independent of nuclear pore numbers
Authors: Neely Amy E. , Zhang Yang , Blumensaadt Laura A. , Mao Hongjing , Brenner Benjamin , Sun Cheng , Zhang Hao F. , Bao Xiaomin
Published: October 2023

Nucleoporins (NUPs) comprise nuclear pore complexes, gateways for nucleocytoplasmic transport. As primary human keratinocytes switch from the progenitor state towards differentiation, most NUPs are strongly downregulated, with NUP93 being the most downregulated NUP in this process. To determine if this NUP downregulation is accompanied by a reduction in nuclear pore numbers, we leveraged Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy. No significant changes in nuclear pore numbers were detected using three independent NUP antibodies; however, NUP reduction in other subcellular compartments such as the cytoplasm was identified. To investigate how NUP reduction influences keratinocyte differentiation, we knocked down NUP93 in keratinocytes in the progenitor-state culture condition. NUP93 knockdown diminished keratinocytes’ clonogenicity and epidermal regenerative capacity, without drastically affecting nuclear pore numbers or permeability. Using transcriptome profiling, we identified that NUP93 knockdown induces differentiation genes related to both mechanical and immune barrier functions, including the activation of known NF-κB target genes. Consistently, keratinocytes with NUP93 knockdown exhibited increased nuclear localization of the NF-κB p65/p50 transcription factors, and increased NF-κB reporter activity. Taken together, these findings highlight the gene regulatory roles contributed by differential NUP expression levels in keratinocyte differentiation, independent of nuclear pore numbers.
Form factor determination of biological molecules with X-ray free electron laser small-angle scattering (XFEL-SAS)
Authors: Blanchet Clement E. , Round Adam , Mertens Haydyn D. T. , Ayyer Kartik , Graewert Melissa , Awel Salah , Franke Daniel , Dörner Katerina , Bajt Saša , Bean Richard , Custódio Tânia F. , de Wijn Raphael , Juncheng E. , Henkel Alessandra , Gruzinov Andrey , Jeffries Cy M. , Kim Yoonhee , Kirkwood Henry , Kloos Marco , Knoška Juraj , Koliyadu Jayanath , Letrun Romain , Löw Christian , Makroczyova Jana , Mall Abhishek , Meijers Rob , Pena Murillo Gisel Esperanza , Oberthür Dominik , Round Ekaterina , Seuring Carolin , Sikorski Marcin , Vagovic Patrik , Valerio Joana , Wollweber Tamme , Zhuang Yulong , Schulz Joachim , Haas Heinrich , Chapman Henry N. , Mancuso Adrian P. , Svergun Dmitri
Published: October 2023

Free-electron lasers (FEL) are revolutionizing X-ray-based structural biology methods. While protein crystallography is already routinely performed at FELs, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) studies of biological macromolecules are not as prevalent. SAXS allows the study of the shape and overall structure of proteins and nucleic acids in solution, in a quasi-native environment. In solution, chemical and biophysical parameters that have an influence on the structure and dynamics of molecules can be varied and their effect on conformational changes can be monitored in time-resolved XFEL and SAXS experiments. We report here the collection of scattering form factors of proteins in solution using FEL X-rays. The form factors correspond to the scattering signal of the protein ensemble alone; the scattering contributions from the solvent and the instrument are separately measured and accurately subtracted. The experiment was done using a liquid jet for sample delivery. These results pave the way for time-resolved studies and measurements from dilute samples, capitalizing on the intense and short FEL X-ray pulses.
Neuroligin 2 governs synaptic morphology and function through RACK1-cofilin signaling in Drosophila
Authors: Sun Yichen , Li Moyi , Geng Junhua , Meng Sibie , Tu Renjun , Zhuang Yan , Sun Mingkuan , Rui Menglong , Ou Mengzhu , Xing Guangling , Johnson Travis K. , Xie Wei
Published: October 2023

Neuroligins are transmembrane cell adhesion proteins well-known for their genetic links to autism spectrum disorders. Neuroligins can function by regulating the actin cytoskeleton, however the factors and mechanisms involved are still largely unknown. Here, using the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as a model, we reveal that F-Actin assembly at the Drosophila NMJ is controlled through Cofilin signaling mediated by an interaction between DNlg2 and RACK1, factors not previously known to work together. The deletion of DNlg2 displays disrupted RACK1-Cofilin signaling pathway with diminished actin cytoskeleton proteo-stasis at the terminal of the NMJ, aberrant NMJ structure, reduced synaptic transmission, and abnormal locomotion at the third-instar larval stage. Overexpression of wildtype and activated Cofilin in muscles are sufficient to rescue the morphological and physiological defects in dnlg2 mutants, while inactivated Cofilin is not. Since the DNlg2 paralog DNlg1 is known to regulate F-actin assembly mainly via a specific interaction with WAVE complex, our present work suggests that the orchestration of F-actin by Neuroligins is a diverse and complex process critical for neural connectivity.
Melanopsin-mediated optical entrainment regulates circadian rhythms in vertebrates
Authors: Pan Deng , Wang Zixu , Chen Yaoxing , Cao Jing
Published: October 2023

Melanopsin (OPN4) is a light-sensitive protein that plays a vital role in the regulation of circadian rhythms and other nonvisual functions. Current research on OPN4 has focused on mammals; more evidence is needed from non-mammalian vertebrates to fully assess the significance of the non-visual photosensitization of OPN4 for circadian rhythm regulation. There are species differences in the regulatory mechanisms of OPN4 for vertebrate circadian rhythms, which may be due to the differences in the cutting variants, tissue localization, and photosensitive activation pathway of OPN4. We here summarize the distribution of OPN4 in mammals, birds, and teleost fish, and the classical excitation mode for the non-visual photosensitive function of OPN4 in mammals is discussed. In addition, the role of OPN4-expressing cells in regulating circadian rhythm in different vertebrates is highlighted, and the potential rhythmic regulatory effects of various neuropeptides or neurotransmitters expressed in mammalian OPN4-expressing ganglion cells are summarized among them.
Light regulation of the biosynthesis of phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids in plants
Authors: Liu Yongliang , Singh Sanjay K. , Pattanaik Sitakanta , Wang Hongxia , Yuan Ling
Published: October 2023

Biosynthesis of specialized metabolites (SM), including phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids, is stimulated by many environmental factors including light. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the regulatory mechanisms involved in light-stimulated SM biosynthesis at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational levels of regulation. While several excellent recent reviews have primarily focused on the impacts of general environmental factors, including light, on biosynthesis of an individual class of SM, here we highlight the regulation of three major SM biosynthesis pathways by light-responsive gene expression, microRNA regulation, and posttranslational modification of regulatory proteins. In addition, we present our future perspectives on this topic.
Dry reforming of methane over gallium-based supported catalytically active liquid metal solutions
Authors: Wolf Moritz , de Oliveira Ana Luiza , Taccardi Nicola , Maisel Sven , Heller Martina , Khan Antara Sharmin , Søgaard Alexander , Felfer Peter , Görling Andreas , Haumann Marco , Wasserscheid Peter
Published: October 2023

Gallium-rich supported catalytically active liquid metal solutions (SCALMS) were recently introduced as a new way towards heterogeneous single atom catalysis. SCALMS were demonstrated to exhibit a certain resistance against coking during the dehydrogenation of alkanes using Ga-rich alloys of noble metals. Here, the conceptual catalytic application of SCALMS in dry reforming of methane (DRM) is tested with non-noble metal (Co, Cu, Fe, Ni) atoms in the gallium-rich liquid alloy. This study introduces SCALMS to high-temperature applications and an oxidative reaction environment. Most catalysts were shown to undergo severe oxidation during DRM, while Ga-Ni SCALMS retained a certain level of activity. This observation is explained by a kinetically controlled redox process, namely oxidation to gallium oxide species and re-reduction via H2 activation over Ni. Consequentially, this redox process can be shifted to the metallic side when using increasing concentrations of Ni in Ga, which strongly suppresses coke formation. Density-functional theory (DFT) based ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations were performed to confirm the increased availability of Ni at the liquid alloy-gas interface. However, leaching of gallium via the formation of volatile oxidic species during the hypothesised redox cycles was identified indicating a critical instability of Ga-Ni SCALMS for prolonged test durations.
LCA Applied to Nanomaterials for Environmental Remediation: Advances and Challenges
Authors: Quici Natalia , Crespi Julieta , Montesinos Victor Nahuel
Published: October 2023

Life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) faces many challenges, one of the most relevant being the lack of databases providing nano-specific data. LCA for ENMs applied in environmental remediation is still in its early stages as indicated not only by the scarce number of published works but also by the fact that most of them correspond to water treatment in laboratory scale processes. However, the analysis of the literature evidenced that there is genuine interest in the scientific community to incorporate a rigorous and formal analysis of the environmental impact of ENMs for water treatment. It is worth mentioning that some works have used LCA as a prospective tool, positioning LCA as a powerful instrument for process optimization in terms of their environmental impact before scale-up.
When microplastics meet electroanalysis: future analytical trends for an emerging threat
Authors: Mosquera-Ortega Mónica , Rodrigues de Sousa Lucas , Susmel Sabina , Cortón Eduardo , Figueredo Federico
Published: October 2023

It is true that microplastics can be found almost anywhere, but we still do not know about their possible effect on life and ecosystems. To assess their effect and eventually advise regulations, new and automated analytical methods are needed.
Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene over CuOx boosting CO2 adsorption by lanthanide neodymium
Authors: He Zhen-Hong , Li Cui-Cui , Yang Shao-Yan , Liu Jiajie , Cao Hui-Hui , Wang Kuan , Wang Weitao , Yang Yang , Liu Zhao-Tie
Published: October 2023

The lanthanide neodymium has the ability to stabilize the Cu+ in CuOx, thereby enhancing CO2 adsorption and improving selectivity for ethylene in CO2 electrocatalytic reduction.
Electronic modulation of a single-atom-based tandem catalyst boosts CO2 photoreduction to ethanol
Authors: Gong Shuaiqi , Ni Baoxin , He Xiaoyang , Wang Jianying , Jiang Kun , Wu Deli , Min Yulin , Li Hexing , Chen Zuofeng
Published: October 2023

A single-atom-based tandem photocatalyst (In2O3/Cu–O3) is fabricated for efficient CO2-to-ethanol conversion. The electronic interaction between Cu and In promotes C–C coupling of *CO (on In2O3 site) and *COH (on Cu–O3 site) to form OC–COH species.
Canadian high arctic ice core records of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers
Authors: De Silva Amila O. , Young Cora J. , Spencer Christine , Muir Derek C. G. , Sharp Martin , Lehnherr Igor , Criscitiello Alison
Published: October 2023

Arctic ice cap cores were analyzed for organophosphate esters (OPEs). Depositional flux increased exponentially over 4 decades at one site but were lower further north. Some OPEs were associated with anthropogenic particles, possibly microplastics.
Citrus peel extract protects against diesel exhaust particle-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-like lung lesions and oxidative stress
Authors: Fang Zhang-fu , Fu Yu , Peng Yang , Song Sheng-ren , Wang Zhao-ni , Yang Yang , Nie Yi-chu , Han Hai-long , Teng Yan-bo , Xiao Wei-min , Chen Jia-ping , Zhou Bao-jin , Ou Guo-liang , Xie Jia-xing , Liu Xiao-yu , Zhang Junfeng (Jim) , Zhong Nan-shan
Published: October 2023

This study revealed for the first time that citrus peel extract (GC) is effective in decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses of the peripheral lungs to DEP exposure, thus leading to the resolution of COPD-like lesions.
Yak milk protects against alcohol-induced liver injury in rats
Authors: Wang Man , Jiang Yanshi , Wang Siying , Fu Lin , Liang Zujin , Zhang Ying , Huang Xiaodan , Li Xin , Feng Meiying , Long Danfeng
Published: October 2023

The protective effects of yak milk (YM) against chronic alcoholic liver injury in rats were investigated in this study.
Towards N-rich solid polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries?
Authors: Artigues L. , Deschamps M. , Salles F. , Chaudoy V. , Lapinte V. , Monconduit L.
Published: October 2023

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are faced with many specifications to replace today's liquid organic electrolyte in Li-ion batteries, here BPEI based polymer is proposed as a new SPE.
Correction: Impact of thermal gas treatment on the surface modification of Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Mellin Maximilian , Liang Zhili , Sclar Hadar , Maiti Sandipan , Píš Igor , Nappini Silvia , Magnano Elena , Bondino Federica , Napal Ilargi , Winkler Robert , Hausbrand Réne , Hofmann Jan P. , Alff Lambert , Markovsky Boris , Aurbach Doron , Jaegermann Wolfram , Cherkashinin Gennady
Published: October 2023

Correction for ‘Impact of thermal gas treatment on the surface modification of Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials for Li-ion batteries’ by Maximilian Mellin et al., Mater. Adv., 2023, 4, 3746–3758, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MA00236E.
Development of novel thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives as PPAR-γ agonists through design, synthesis, computational docking, MD simulation, and comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Gowdru Srinivasa Mahendra , B. C. Revanasiddappa , Prabhu Ashwini , Rani Vinitha , Ghate Sudeep D. , Kumar B. R. Prashantha
Published: October 2023

The present study was conducted to develop new novel 2,4-thiazolidinedione derivatives (3h–3j) as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) modulators for antidiabetic activity.
Anomalous thermal activation of green upconversion luminescence in Yb/Er/ZnGdO self-assembled microflowers for high-sensitivity temperature detection
Authors: Zheng Wei , He Aifeng , Ma Hong , Chen Jianhua , Jing Bo , Li Yan , Yu Xiaogang , Cao Chunqiang , Sun Baoyu
Published: October 2023

A new strategy for thermally activating green upconversion luminescence for high-sensitivity temperature detection in Yb/Er/ZnGdO microflowers.
Insight into the electronic structure of the centrosymmetric skyrmion magnet GdRu2Si2
Authors: Eremeev S. V. , Glazkova D. , Poelchen G. , Kraiker A. , Ali K. , Tarasov A. V. , Schulz S. , Kliemt K. , Chulkov E. V. , Stolyarov V. S. , Ernst A. , Krellner C. , Usachov D. Yu. , Vyalikh D. V.
Published: October 2023

A combination of momentum-resolved photoemission measurements and first-principles calculations allowed us to unveil the origin of the helical magnetic order in the GdRu2Si2 skyrmion magnet.
Protein engineering of multi-enzyme virus-like particle nanoreactors for enhanced chiral alcohol synthesis
Authors: Feng Taotao , Liu Jiaxu , Zhang Xiaoyan , Fan Daidi , Bai Yunpeng
Published: October 2023

A self-assembled nanoreactor encapsulating double enzymes for chiral alcohol synthesis was engineered. The TOFs of the best variant, M5, toward various ketones were enhanced up to 15.0-fold compared with that of the wild type.
The gut microbiome meets nanomaterials: exposure and interplay with graphene nanoparticles
Authors: Wojciechowska Olga , Costabile Adele , Kujawska Małgorzata
Published: October 2023

We provide a brief overview of graphene-based nanoparticles, their usage and characteristics. We discuss experimental data from in vitro screening tests on small animal experiments related to exposure and the effects of graphene nanoparticles on gut microbiota.
Raman encoding for security labels: a review
Authors: Yu Dong , Zhu Wei , Shen Ai-Guo
Published: October 2023

This minireview summarizes the recent advances in the preparation of clonable and unclonable security labels based on Raman encoding, followed by their image verification modes and the role of Raman encoding in different modes.
Synthesis, optical properties and conduction mechanism study of α- and γ-NaMnO2 materials
Authors: Boukthir Mansour , Krimi Moufida , Karoui Karim , Altarifi Saleh M. , Mahmoud Abdelfattah , Boschini Frèdèric , Ates Ayten , Ben Rhaiem Abdallah
Published: October 2023

Herein, NaMnO2 cathode active materials, in both α- and γ-phases, were synthesized via a solid–solid method.
Functional dielectric materials for high-performance solid-state batteries
Authors: Wang Dongming , Wang Zhuyi , Liang Wenbiao , Han Yuxiao , Zhao Yin , Lv Yingying , Shi Liyi , Yuan Shuai
Published: October 2023

Functional dielectric materials can regulate the migration, diffusion and deposition of cations in solid-state batteries, leading to high performance.
Metal-free visible light-induced cross-dehydrogenative coupling of benzocyclic imines with water/P(O)H compounds: efficient access to functionalized benzazepines/ones
Authors: Fu Zhicheng , Feng Luping , Qin Yu , Mu Xinhui , Zhong Xuqing , Wang Zhouyu , Wang Ting , Deng Jinni , Li Jingfang , Chen Mingjun
Published: October 2023

A metal-free visible light-induced cross-dehydrogenative coupling of aldimines with nucleophiles in a one-pot fashion is first reported, which features high efficiency,the absence of external oxidants, and mild and redox-neutral reaction conditions.
An amplified electrochemical sensor employing one-step synthesized nickel–copper–zinc ferrite/carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide nanosheets composite for sensitive analysis of omeprazole
Authors: Habibi Biuck , Pashazadeh Sara , Pashazadeh Ali , Saghatforoush Lotf Ali
Published: October 2023

A signal amplification strategy was designed by the fabrication of a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on a Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4Fe2O4/carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide nanosheet composite modified glassy carbon electrode for determination of omeprazole.
Function of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites in xylose conversion into furfural
Authors: Cabrera-Munguia Denis A. , Gutiérrrez-Alejandre Aída , Romero-Galarza Adolfo , Morales-Martínez Thelma K. , Ríos-González Leopoldo J. , Sifuentes-López Jesús
Published: October 2023

In this work, the xylose conversion and the selectivity to furfural were assessed over mesoporous sulfonic silica SBA-15-(X)SO3H catalysts doped with metal ions (X = Al(iii), Ti(iv) or Zr(iv)).
Direct osteogenesis and immunomodulation dual function via sustained release of naringin from the polymer scaffold
Authors: Xiong Wei , Yuan Lingmei , Huang Jinyang , Pan Bin , Guo Ling , Qian Guowen , Shuai Cijun , Zeng Zhikui
Published: October 2023

In this work, the NG-MBG/PLLA scaffolds not only have a good ability to promote osteogenic differentiation of mBMSCs but also provide suitable bone immune microenvironment capabilities for bone regeneration during the inflammatory phase.
Super-hydrophobic and resilient hybrid silica aerogels for thermal insulation, energy harvesting, and electrical applications in harsh environments
Authors: Rezaei Sasan , Omranpour Hosseinali , Ben Rejeb Zeineb , Fashandi Maryam , Monfared Ali Reza , Rahmati Reza , Rastegardoost Mohammad M. , Naguib Hani E. , Park Chul B.
Published: October 2023

Vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) was successfully grafted onto the polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) chain, resulted in flexible and superhydrophobic silica aerogels with robust structural integrity.
Single vs. mutliparametric luminescence thermometry: the case of Eu3+-doped Ba3(VO4)2 nanophosphors
Authors: Kolesnikov Ilya E. , Mamonova Daria V. , Kurochkin Mikhail A. , Khodasevich Mikhail A. , Medvedev Vassily A. , Kolesnikov Evgenii Yu. , Manshina Alina A.
Published: October 2023

A detailed comparison of single- and multiparametric luminescence thermometry using excitation spectra of Eu3+-doped Ba3(VO4)2 nanophosphors.
Efficient procedure for biodiesel synthesis from waste oil and t-butylation of resorcinol using a porous microtube polymer-based solid acid
Authors: Guo Zhijin , Liang Xuezheng
Published: October 2023

A novel porous microtube polymer-based solid acid was synthesized via the polymerisation of naphthalene and sulfonation.
Multilevel Modeling of Gaze From Listeners With Hearing Loss Following a Realistic Conversation
Authors: Shiell Martha M. , Høy-Christensen Jeppe , Skoglund Martin A. , Keidser Gitte , Zaar Johannes , Rotger-Griful Sergi
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

There is a need for tools to study real-world communication abilities in people with hearing loss. We outline a potential method for this that analyzes gaze and use it to answer the question of when and how much listeners with hearing loss look toward a new talker in a conversation.

Method:

Twenty-two older adults with hearing loss followed a prerecorded two-person audiovisual conversation in the presence of babble noise. We compared their eye-gaze direction to the conversation in two multilevel logistic regression (MLR) analyses. First, we split the conversation into events classified by the number of active talkers within a turn or a transition, and we tested if these predicted the listener's gaze. Second, we mapped the odds that a listener gazed toward a new talker over time during a conversation transition.

Results:

We found no evidence that our conversation events predicted changes in the listener's gaze, but the listener's gaze toward the new talker during a silence-transition was predicted by time: The odds of looking at the new talker increased in an s-shaped curve from at least 0.4 s before to 1 s after the onset of the new talker's speech. A comparison of models with different random effects indicated that more variance was explained by differences between individual conversation events than by differences between individual listeners.

Conclusions:

MLR modeling of eye-gaze during talker transitions is a promising approach to study a listener's perception of realistic conversation. Our experience provides insight to guide future research with this method.
Vocal Characteristics of Infants at Risk for Speech Motor Involvement: A Scoping Review
Authors: Long Helen L. , Christensen Leslie , Hayes Sydney , Hustad Katherine C.
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this scoping review was to (a) summarize methodological characteristics of studies examining vocal characteristics of infants at high risk for neurological speech motor involvement and (b) report the state of the high-quality evidence on vocal characteristic trends of infants diagnosed or at high risk for cerebral palsy (CP).

Method:

The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension for scoping reviews was followed for reporting our review. Studies measured prelinguistic vocal characteristics of infants under 24 months with birth risk or genetic conditions known to commonly present with speech motor involvement. Fifty-five studies met criteria for Part 1. Eleven studies met criteria for synthesis in Part 2.

Results:

A smaller percentage of studies examined infants with or at risk for CP compared to studies examining genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. The median year of publication was 1999, with a median sample size of nine participants. Most studies were conducted in laboratory settings and used human coding of vocalizations produced during caregiver–child interactions. Substantial methodological differences were noted across all studies. A small number of high-quality studies of infants with or at risk for CP revealed high rates of marginal babbling, low rates of canonical babbling, and limited consonant diversity under 24 months. Mixed findings were noted across studies of general birth risk factors.

Conclusions:

There is limited evidence available to support the early detection of speech motor involvement. Large methodological differences currently impact the ability to synthesize findings across studies. There is a critical need to conduct longitudinal research with larger sample sizes and advanced, modern technologies to detect vocal precursors of speech impairment to support the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of speech development in infants with CP and other clinical populations.
A dense multi‐scale context and asymmetric pooling embedding network for smoke segmentation
Authors: Wen Gang , Zhou Fangrong , Ma Yutang , Pan Hao , Geng Hao , Cao Jun , Li Kang , Yuan Feiniu
Published: October 2023

It is very challenging to accurately segment smoke images because smoke has some adverse vision characteristics, such as anomalous shapes, blurred edges, and translucency. Existing methods cannot fully focus on the texture details of anomalous shapes and blurred edges simultaneously. To solve these problems, a Dense Multi‐scale context and Asymmetric pooling Embedding Network (DMAENet) is proposed to model the smoke edge details and anomalous shapes for smoke segmentation. To capture the feature information from different scales, a Dense Multi‐scale Context Module (DMCM) is proposed to further enhance the feature representation capability of our network under the help of asymmetric convolutions. To efficiently extract features for long‐shaped objects, the authors use asymmetric pooling to propose an Asymmetric Pooling Enhancement Module (APEM). The vertical and horizontal pooling methods are responsible for enhancing features of irregular objects. Finally, a Feature Fusion Module (FFM) is designed, which accepts three inputs for improving performance. Low and high‐level features are fused by pixel‐wise summing, and then the summed feature maps are further enhanced in an attention manner. Experimental results on synthetic and real smoke datasets validate that all these modules can improve performance, and the proposed DMAENet obviously outperforms existing state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Short‐critical‐path algorithm for allpass transform
Authors: Porhun Maxim I. , Vashkevich Maxim I.
Published: October 2023

Allpass transform is a key element of the discrete systems which produces signal processing in warped frequency domain. The paper presents a new short‐critical path algorithm for allpass transform, which essentially consists of calculating the outputs of allpass filters chain. The algorithm is based on the proposed dual allpass filter structure, which computes the outputs of a cascade of two allpass filters in one computational pass. The dual allpass filter structure is obtained using the state variable representation of the allpass filter. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is analyzed in the context of allpass transform implementation using a general purpose CPU. The results of the experiment show that the use of the proposed algorithm accelerates the calculation of the allpass transform by 1.81 times.
Pulley Couplers for Broadband Microcomb Generation in Si3N4 Ring Resonators
Authors: Ruhnke Bastian , Wildi Thibault , Ulanov Alexander , Herr Tobias
Published: October 2023

Microresonator solitons enable high repetition-rate optical frequency combs. Their spectral span scales inversely with the strength of the resonator’s anomalous group velocity dispersion. In a thick (800 nm) silicon nitride platform, wide resonator waveguides (>2 µm) with weak anomalous dispersion are especially promising for the generation of broadband spectra. As wider waveguides have a weaker evanescent field, the coupling strength to their bus waveguide is reduced. To address this challenge, alternative coupler designs, such as pulley couplers are required. Here, we investigate pulley couplers for wide waveguide specifically targeted at broadband soliton generation. We observe significant improvement of the coupling ideality compared to conventional coupler geometries and broadband four-wave mixing spectra are observed in 2.8 µm wide microresonators.
Polarization rotation using Molybdenum trioxide in 3 µm SOI platform
Authors: Shahwar Dura , Das Susobhan , Uddin MD Gius , Cherchi Matteo , Sun Zhipei , Aalto Timo
Published: October 2023

We propose a novel polarization rotator concept using two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic materials, such as molybdenum trioxide, on top of 3µm silicon waveguides. The in-plane anisotropic behaviour of 500 nm thick MoO3 flake is analysed and confirmed with Raman spectroscopy.
Concatenated Backward Ray Mapping on the Compound Parabolic Concentrator
Authors: Jansen Willem G.T. , Anthonissen Martijn J.H. , ten Thije Boonkkamp Jan H.M. , IJzerman Wilbert L.
Published: October 2023

Concatenated backward ray mapping is an alternative for ray tracing in 2D. It is based on the phase space descrip tion of an optical system. Phase space is the set of position and direction coordinates of rays intersecting an optical line. The original algorithm is limited to optical systems consisting of only straight line segments; we extend it to accommodate curved segments. The algorithm is applied to the compound parabolic concentrator, a standard optical system that collects parallel light and reshapes it to a focused beam. We compare the accuracy and speed of the extended algorithm to the original algorithm and Monte Carlo ray tracing. The results show that the extended algorithm outperforms both methods.
Fast, large-field fluorescence and second-harmonic generation imaging with a single-spinning disk two-photon microscope
Authors: Deeg Andreas , Trigo Federico , Hazart Doriane , Delhomme Brigitte , Zar Tchyia , Naiser Thomas , Seebacher Christian , Salomon Adi , Ricard Clément , Uhl Rainer , Oheim Martin
Published: October 2023

Confocal microscopes have been the workhorses of 3-D biological imaging, but they are slow, offer limited depth penetration and collect only ballistic photons. With their inefficient use of excitation photons they expose biological samples to an often intolerably high light burden. The speed limitation and photo-bleaching risk can be somewhat relaxed in a spinning-disk geometry, due to shorter pixel dwell times and rapid re-scans during image capture. Alternatively, light-sheet microscopes rapidly image large volumes of transparent or chemically cleared samples. Finally, with infrared excitation and efficient scattered-light collection, 2-photon microscopy allows deep-tissue imaging, but it remains slow. Here, we describe a new optical scheme that borrows the best from three different worlds: the speed and direct-view from a spinning-disk confocal, deep tissue-penetration and intrinsic optical sectioning from 2-photon excitation, and a large field of view and a low invasiveness of a selective-plane illumination microscope – all with a single objective lens. We validate the performance of our 2-photon spinning-disk microscope in various applications that have in common to simultaneously require a large depth penetration, high speed and larger fields of view. Beyond biological fluorescence, we demonstrate an application in material science, imaging coherent non-linear scattering from a 3-D nano-porous network.
Laser-based killing of a macroparasite inside its live invertebrate host
Authors: Musset Olivier , Balourdet Aude , Perrot-Minnot Marie-Jeanne
Published: October 2023

Whether host phenotypic alterations induced by parasites are reversible or not is a core issue to understand underlying mechanisms as well as the fitness costs of infection and recovery to the host. Clearing infection is an essential step to address this issue, which turns out to be challenging with endoparasites of large size relative to that of their host. Here, we took advantage of the lethality, contactless and versatility of high-energy laser beam to design such tool, using thorny-headed worms and their amphipod intermediate host as a model system. We show that laser-based de-parasitization can be achieved using blue laser targeting carotenoid pigments in Polymorphus minutus but not in the larger and less pigmented Pomphorhynchus tereticollis. Using DNA degradation to establish parasite death, we found that 80% P. minutus died from within-host laser exposure. Survival rate of infected gammarids to laser treatment was higher than uninfected ones. The failure to kill P. tereticollis was also observed with nanosecond-green laser, an alternative laser source targeting lipid. We discuss the possible causes of amphipod death following parasite treatment and highlight the perspectives that this technology offers.
Enlarging the spectral accessibility of photonic zero-modes in coupled Photonic Crystal cavities through "image barrier" engineering
Authors: Hedir Melissa , Yacomotti Alejandro M. , Levenson Ariel
Published: October 2023

Photonic modes resistant to imperfections or perturbations are of paramount importance in many photonic applications. In this context, zero-modes have several advantages. Unfortunately, they are often difficult to observe. In this work, focusing on coupled photonic crystal cavities, we propose and demonstrate a technique that allows control of inter-cavity coupling without introducing concomitant frequency mismatch, thus allowing observation of zero-modes in a non-Hermitian system and testing of their robustness against asymmetries of coupling. This is done through an original "image barrier" engineering approach.
Fabrication error analysis of nonperiodic-multilayer-dielectric gratings
Authors: Zhang Di , Zeng Lijiang
Published: October 2023

We analyzed fabrication errors of nonperiodic-multilayer-dielectric gratings that were designed to have a high reflective diffraction efficiency for one wavelength and a high transmittance for another wavelength at the same time. Significant deviations were found between the measured and calculated efficiency values although the groove profile parameters were very closed to the design values. The source of error was attributed to coating errors of the film stack. To explain the deviation well, we estimated the parameters of actual coating stack by reverse calculations and using scanning electron microscope. We recalculated the diffraction efficiencies and the results showed that the actual film stack parameters were inverted well. This provided a foundation for us to reoptimize grating groove parameters on the basis of actual coating stack.
Controlling the strong light-matter coupling in metal-dielectric optical resonators using spin-crossover molecules
Authors: Ridier Karl , Zhang Lijun , Calvez Stéphane , Salmon Lionel , Molnár Gábor , Bousseksou Azzedine
Published: October 2023

We report the observation of (ultra)strong light-matter coupling, in the UV spectral region, between optical modes of a metal/dielectric bilayer nanocavity and the electronic excitations of spin-crossover (SCO) molecules. By thermally switching the SCO molecules between their low-spin and high-spin states, we demonstrate the possibility of fine-tuning the light-molecule hybridization strength, allowing a reversible switching between strong- (with Rabi splitting values of up to 550 meV) and weak-coupling regimes within a single photonic resonator. As a result, we show that spin-crossover molecular compounds constitute a novel, promising class of active nanomaterials in the context of tuneable and reconfigurable polaritonic devices.