bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cationic Lipids‐Mediated Dual‐Targeting of Both Dendritic Cells and Tumor Cells for Potent Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Min , Zhou Han , Fang Minghao , Qu Kun , Wang Yucai
Published: September 2023

Impaired antigen presentation either in dendritic cells (DCs) or tumor cells impedes the triggering of antitumor immunity or tumor cell killing, resulting in failures of multiple types of cancer immunotherapy. Herein, the strategy of using dual‐targeting nanomedicines to simultaneously improve the presentation of tumor antigens by both DCs and tumor cells is proposed. It is shown that tuning of surface charge of nanoparticles (NPs) by incorporating different amounts of cationic lipids alters the in vivo NP tissue accumulation and cellular targeting profiles. NPs with moderately positive surface charge (≈20 mV) achieve efficient accumulation in tumors and lymph nodes and dual‐targeting to both DCs and tumor cells. As a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, siRNA against YTH N6−methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) is delivered by the dual‐targeting NPs to inhibit excessive antigen degradation in both DCs and tumor cells. For DCs, YTHDF1 downregulation promotes tumor antigen cross‐presentation and cross‐priming of antigen‐specific T cells. For tumor cells, it enhances the presentation of endogenous tumor antigens and hence improves both the recognition and killing of tumor cells by primed antigen‐specific T cells. The dual‐targeting nanomedicines generate efficient antitumor immunity.
Unveiling the X‐Ray Absorption Chemistry of H3.78V6O13 Cathode for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cao Jin , Zhang Dongdong , Yue Yilei , Yang Xuelin , Yang Chenwu , Niu Jingjing , Zeng Zhiyuan , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Wannapaiboon Suttipong , Zhang Xinyu , Qin Jiaqian , Lu Jun
Published: September 2023

The low cost and intrinsic safety of rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) contribute to their significant potential in grid‐level energy storage systems. However, the limited cathode options still hinder the development of ZIBs, which always delivers poor rate capacities and cycling stability. Herein, Monoclinic phase H3.78V6O13 microspheres with a stable internal framework and intrinsic metallic properties as a high‐performance cathode for ZIBs are proposed and utilized. The reversible Zn2+insertion/de‐insertion mechanism in H3.78V6O13through ex situ X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure, and in situ Raman involves the enlargement/shrink of interplanar distance, the decrease/increase of the V valance, and the open/recombine of V─O/V─V bonds. Further, experiments and theoretical calculations elucidate the superior electrochemical performance and extraordinary reaction kinetics in H3.78V6O13. The as‐prepared H3.78V6O13 cathode delivers high specific capacity of 406 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1, excellent structure stability with 100% manifested after 120 cycles at 0.5 A g–1, 72.9% retained after 15 000 cycles at 10 A g–1. This research offers distinctive perspectives on the development of high‐performance cathode materials for ZIBs and enhances the understanding of the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of vanadium oxides.
Multiple Surface Optimizations for a Highly Durable LiCoO2 beyond 4.6 V
Authors: Li Zijian , Yi Haocong , Ren Hengyu , Fang Jianjun , Du Yuhao , Zhao Wenguang , Chen Hui , Zhao Qinghe , Pan Feng
Published: September 2023

Recently, lots of researches have focused on enhancing the structure stability of LiCoO2 (LCO) at a cutoff voltage of 4.6 V (vs Li/Li+) at room temperature. However, the high temperature (≥45 °C) performances are more significant for practical applications. Herein, the mechanism of unsatisfactory structure stability of LCO at 45 °C via comparing a commercial LCO (C‐LCO) and a surface optimized LCO (O‐LCO) is revealed first. The deteriorated structure stability of LCO at 45 °C is mainly due to two aspects: i) the promoted bulk Li+ ion diffusion kinetics at 45 °C leads to a higher state of charge for the charged LCO, which triggers more side reactions; ii) the more prominent surface structure collapse at 45 °C blocks the Li+ ion transport channels. Surface optimizations, including the anions (F− and PO43−) and cations (Al3+) surface modulation and a subsurface spinel reinforcement, are comprehensively applied to alleviate the side reaction and structure collapse issues of O‐LCO, leading to a high reversible discharge capacity of 238 mAh g−1, as well as an obviously enhanced cycle and floating stability at 45 °C and beyond 4.6 V. A new insight is provided here for developing more advanced and practical high‐voltage LCO.
Low‐Cost Multi‐Function Electrolyte Additive Enabling Highly Stable Interfacial Chemical Environment for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Zixiang , Wang Rui , Gao Yuchen , Zhang Shilin , Wan Jiandong , Mao Jianfeng , Zhang Longhai , Li Hongbao , Hao Junnan , Li Guanjie , Zhang Lin , Zhang Chaofeng
Published: September 2023

The practicality of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) for large‐scale energy storage is hindered by challenges associated with zinc anodes. In this study, a low‐cost and multi‐function electrolyte additive, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), is presented to address these issues. CTAB adsorbs onto the zinc anode surface, regulating Zn2+ deposition orientation and inhibiting dendrite formation. It also modifies the solvation structure of Zn2+ to reduce water reactivity and minimize side reactions. Additionally, CTAB optimizes key physicochemical parameters of the electrolyte, enhancing the stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface and promoting reversibility in AZIBs. Theoretical simulations combined with operando synchrotron radiation‐based in situ Fourier transform infrared spectra and in situ electrochemical impedance spectra further confirm the modified Zn2+ coordination environment and the adsorption effect of CTAB cations at the anode/electrolyte interface. As a result, the assembled Zn‐MnO2 battery demonstrates a remarkable specific capacity of 126.56 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 4 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. This work highlights the potential of CTAB as a promising solution for improving the performance and practicality of AZIBs for large‐scale energy storage applications.
Bright Second Harmonic Emission from Photonic Crystal Vertical Cavity
Authors: Qu Lun , Gu Zhidong , Li Chenyang , Qin Yuan , Zhang Yiting , Zhang Di , Zhao Jiaxian , Liu Qiang , Jin Chunyan , Wang Lishuan , Wu Wei , Cai Wei , Liu Huasong , Ren Mengxin , Xu Jingjun
Published: September 2023

This study presents photonic vertical cavities consisting of nonlinear materials embedded in photonic crystals (PhCs) for resonantly enhancing second harmonic generation (SHG). Previous attempts at SHG in such structures have been limited to efficiencies of 10−7 to 10−5, but a high SHG efficiency of 0.28% by constructing a vertical cavity with a lithium niobate membrane placed between two PhCs is demonstrated, which exhibits high‐quality resonances. The results open up new possibilities for compact laser frequency converters that can have a revolutionary impact on the fields of nonlinear optics and photonics.
Self‐Assembly of Structured Colloidal Gels for High‐Resolution 3D Micropatterning of Proteins at Scale
Authors: Ramnarine‐Sanchez Roxanna S. , Kanczler Janos M. , Evans Nicholas D. , Oreffo Richard O.C. , Dawson Jonathan I.
Published: September 2023

Self‐assembly, the spontaneous ordering of components into patterns, is widespread in nature and fundamental to generating function across length scales. Morphogen gradients in biological development are paradigmatic as both products and effectors of self‐assembly and various attempts have been made to reproduce such gradients in biomaterial design. To date, approaches have typically utilized top‐down fabrication techniques that, while allowing high‐resolution control, are limited by scale and require chemical cross‐linking steps to stabilize morphogen patterns in time. Here, a bottom‐up approach to protein patterning is developed based on a novel binary reaction‐diffusion process where proteins function as diffusive reactants to assemble a nanoclay‐protein composite hydrogel. Using this approach, it is possible to generate scalable and highly stable 3D patterns of target proteins down to sub‐cellular resolution through only physical interactions between clay nanoparticles and the proteins and ions present in blood. Patterned nanoclay gels are able to guide cell behavior to precisely template bone tissue formation in vivo. These results demonstrate the feasibility of stabilizing 3D gradients of biological signals through self‐assembly processes and open up new possibilities for morphogen‐based therapeutic strategies and models of biological development and repair.
Layer‐By‐Layer Printed Metal Hybrid (Cs:FA)PbI3 Perovskite Nanocrystal Solar Cells
Authors: Reus Manuel A. , Krifa Ahmed , Akkerman Quinten A. , Biewald Alexander , Xu Zehua , Kosbahn David P. , Weindl Christian L. , Feldmann Jochen , Hartschuh Achim , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: September 2023

Mixed halide perovskite nanocrystals in the form of cesium/formamidinium lead triiodide ((Cs:FA)PbI3) offer great potential for efficient and stable solar cells. To date, large‐scale production with roll‐to‐roll compatible deposition methods remains difficult and requires detailed research on each involved processing step. Here, a proof‐of‐concept study about slot‐die coating (printing) the active layer of (Cs:FA)PbI3‐based nanocrystal solar cells is presented. Structural and morphological changes during ligand exchange of long‐chain oleic acid and oleylamine by Pb(NO3)2, and top‐layer FAI passivation are investigated. Ligand exchange improves the processability of the nanocrystal layer and enhances charge transport. It also changes texture from face‐on toward edge‐on orientation as grazing‐incidence X‐ray scattering studies indicate. Ligand exchange and FAI passivation redshift photoluminescence and prolong charge carrier lifetime in the printed nanocrystal films. The proof‐of‐concept feasibility of printing metal halide perovskite nanocrystal films for solar cells is shown by building 20 devices with a median power conversion efficiency of 6.39%.
Multichannel Metasurfaces with Frequency‐Direction Multiplexed Amplitude and Phase Modulations
Authors: Xu By He‐Xiu , Xu Jian , Wang Yanzhao , Wang Chaohui , Zhang Fan , Hu Guangwei
Published: September 2023

Electromagnetic wave multiplexing within a compact ultrathin device is pivotal for high‐capacity communications, wireless power transfer, and other applications. Among them, the independent amplitude and phase (AP) control is necessary, and the decoupling of full‐space scattering channels such as reflection (R) and transmission (T) is favoured for high capacities of information processing. This is yet extremely challenging, even at a single frequency, because A and P are essentially correlated and the R‐T channels are usually coupled. Here, a triband multichannel metasurface is proposed and demonstrated, with a frequency‐direction multiplexed paradigm for on‐demand control of both AP across three independent R‐T channels. For practical realization with high efficiency, a judiciously engineered four‐layer compound meta‐atom is proposed. Such a sophisticated multiplexing can facilitate powerful capability in wavefront control and significantly enrich the capacity as well as degrees of freedom for design. For verification, a proof‐of‐concept metadevice has been devised and experimentally demonstrated at microwave frequency, showcasing transmissive and reflective dual‐vortex beams along x and y directions at 7 and 10.2 GHz, respectively, while transmissive dual focusing at 15.7 GHz. This strategy opens a new avenue for circularly‐polarized AP control toward the capacity limit of frequency and direction and for novel functional metadevices with high integration.
Robust Optical Data Encryption by Projection‐Photoaligned Polymer‐Stabilized‐Liquid‐Crystals
Authors: Liu Siying , Alfarhan Saleh , Wang Wenbo , Feng Shuai , Zhu Yuxiang , Liu Luyang , Song Kenan , Yang Sui , Jin Kailong , Chen Xiangfan
Published: September 2023

The emerging Internet of Things (IoTs) invokes increasing security demands that require robust encryption or anti‐counterfeiting technologies. Albeit being acknowledged as efficacious solutions in processing elaborate graphical information via multiple degrees of freedom, optical data encryption and anti‐counterfeiting techniques are typically inept in delivering satisfactory performance without compromising the desired ease‐of‐processibility or compatibility, thus leading to the exploration of novel materials and devices that are competent. Here, a robust optical data encryption technique is demonstrated utilizing polymer‐stabilized‐liquid‐crystals (PSLCs) combined with projection photoalignment and photopatterning methods. The PSLCs possess implicit optical patterns encoded via photoalignment, as well as explicit geometries produced via photopatterning. Furthermore, the PSLCs demonstrate improved robustness against harsh chemical environments and thermal stability and can be directly deployed onto various rigid and flexible substrates. Based on this, it is demonstrated that a single PSLC is apt to carry intricate information or serve as an exclusive watermark with both implicit features and explicit geometries. Moreover, a novel, generalized design strategy is developed, for the first time, to encode intricate and exclusive information with enhanced security by spatially programming the photoalignment patterns of a pair of cascade PSLCs, which further illustrates the promising capabilities of PSLCs in optical data encryption and anti‐counterfeiting.
Search characteristics, online consumer ratings, and beer prices
Authors: Rousseau Sandra , Joly Machteld , Poelmans Eline
Published: September 2023

Experience and credence characteristics are hard to assess when consumers select food products. Therefore, consumers who are unfamiliar with specific products typically use search characteristics as a proxy for product quality. As search characteristics are pivotal in consumers' decisions, we expect them to be reflected in the resulting product prices in the beer market. Besides traditional search characteristics such as beer color or fermentation type, new search characteristics such as online consumer ratings are emerging in beer markets all over the world. Thus, we use a hedonic price estimation to learn about the relative importance of traditional versus new search characteristics in the Belgian beer market. Specifically, the beer prices for 1517 different beer products of two large beer retailers are investigated to compare the role of traditional beer characteristics—color, fermentation type, beer style, origin, brewery type, and alcohol percentage—with the role of online beer ratings from the platform RateBeer.com. We find that while traditional characteristics still play a key role in the beer market, the role of online ratings seems dependent on the retail context  [EconLit Citations: C36 Instrumental Variables Estimation, D83 Search—Communication, Q11 Agriculture—Prices, Q18 Food Policy].
Closed‐Loop Optimization of Soft Sensor Morphology Using 3D Printing of Electrically Conductive Hydrogel
Authors: Sugiura Sojiro , Hardman David , George Thuruthel Thomas , Hasegawa Yasuhisa , Iida Fumiya
Published: September 2023

Soft sensing technologies provide a novel alternative for state estimation in wearables and robotic systems. They allow one to capture intrinsic state parameters in a highly conformable manner. However, due to the nonlinearities in the materials that make up a soft sensor, it is difficult to develop accurate models of these systems. Consequently, design of these soft sensors is largely user defined or based on trial and error. Since these sensors conform and take the shape of the sensing body, these issues are further exacerbated when they are installed. Herein, a framework for the automated design optimization of soft sensors using closed‐loop 3D printing of a recyclable hydrogel‐based sensing material is presented. The framework allows direct printing of the sensor on the sensing body using visual feedback, evaluates the sensor performance, and iteratively improves the sensor design. Following preliminary investigations into the material and morphology parameters, this is demonstrated through the optimization of a sensorized glove which can be matched to specific tasks and individual hand shapes. The glove's sensors are tuned to respond only to particular hand poses, including distinguishing between two similar tennis racket grip techniques.
An Aerial–Aquatic Robot with Tunable Tilting Motors Capable of Multimode Motion
Authors: Qin Kecheng , Tang Wei , Zhong Yiding , Liu Yang , Xu Huxiu , Zhu Pingan , Yan Dong , Yang Huayong , Zou Jun
Published: September 2023

Aerial–aquatic robots have promising applications due to their ability to operate in air and water with different motion modes. However, challenges such as water/air transition and multimedia movement still limit their development. Inspired by the aerial–aquatic behavior of wild ducks, an aerial–aquatic robot with tunable tilting motors and a delta wing is introduced. The robot can perform multimode motion, including flying in air, swimming on the water surface, transitioning between air and water, and diving underwater. Besides, the buoyancy design enables the robot to float at the air–water interface without consuming energy. Herein, the performance of the robot, including vertical and horizontal cross‐media performance, power consumption, and endurance in various motion modes, is evaluated. The field experiments show that the proposed robot possesses multimode motion and high maneuverability. This study provides a new idea for the structural design of next‐generation practical aerial–aquatic robots.
Trajectories of cognitive and perceived functional decline in people with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL programme
Authors: Martyr Anthony , Ravi Madhumathi , Gamble Laura D. , Morris Robin G , Rusted Jennifer M. , Pentecost Claire , Matthews Fiona E. , Clare Linda ,   IDEAL study team
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION

Impaired cognition and instrumental activities of daily living (iADL) are key diagnostic features of dementia; however, few studies have compared trajectories of cognition and iADL.

METHODS

Participants from the IDEAL study comprised 1537, 1183, and 851 people with dementia, and 1277, 977, and 749 caregivers at baseline, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III and Functional Activities Questionnaire were used to measure cognition and iADL, respectively. Scores were converted to deciles.

RESULTS

Self‐rated iADL declined on average by ‐0.08 (‐0.25, 0.08) decile points per timepoint more than cognition. Informant‐rated iADL declined on average by ‐0.31 (‐0.43, ‐0.18) decile points per timepoint more than cognition.

DISCUSSION

Cognition and self‐rated iADL declined at a similar rate. Informant‐rated iADL declined at a significantly greater rate than cognition. Therefore, either cognition and perceived iADL decline at different rates or informants overestimate increasing iADL difficulties compared to both cognition and self‐ratings.

Highlights

Self‐ratings of the degree of functional difficulties were consistent with cognition

Decline in self‐rated everyday activities was consistent with cognitive decline

Informant‐ratings of everyday activities declined more than cognition
Stabilizing Low‐Valence Single Atoms by Constructing Metalloid Tungsten Carbide Supports for Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation and Evolution
Authors: Wang Luqi , Xu Zipeng , Kuo Chun‐Han , Peng Jian , Hu Feng , Li Linlin , Chen Han‐Yi , Wang Jiazhao , Peng Shengjie
Published: September 2023

Designing novel single‐atom catalysts (SACs) supports to modulate the electronic structure is crucial to optimize the catalytic activity, but rather challenging. Herein, a general strategy is proposed to utilize the metalloid properties of supports to trap and stabilize single‐atoms with low‐valence states. A series of single‐atoms supported on the surface of tungsten carbide (M‐WCx, M=Ru, Ir, Pd) are rationally developed through a facile pyrolysis method. Benefiting from the metalloid properties of WCx, the single‐atoms exhibit weak coordination with surface W and C atoms, resulting in the formation of low‐valence active centers similar to metals. The unique metal‐metal interaction effectively stabilizes the low‐valence single atoms on the WCx surface and improves the electronic orbital energy level distribution of the active sites. As expected, the representative Ru‐WCx exhibits superior mass activities of 7.84 and 62.52 A mgRu−1 for the hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions (HOR/HER), respectively. In‐depth mechanistic analysis demonstrates that an ideal dual‐sites cooperative mechanism achieves a suitable adsorption balance of Had and OHad, resulting in an energetically favorable Volmer step. This work offers new guidance for the precise construction of highly active SACs.
Fractionated and purified hybrid poplar lignins as a polyol replacement in rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foams
Authors: Henry Christián , Tindall Graham , Thies Mark C. , Nejad Mojgan
Published: September 2023

This study introduces fractionated lignin as an innovative component in the formulation of rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate (PUR/PIR) foams. Low‐density PUR/PIR rigid foams were prepared by replacing 80% of the petrochemical‐based polyol with a hybrid poplar (HP) lignin, recovered via alkaline pretreatment, and also with a fraction of this lignin, isolated via the Aqueous Lignin Purification with Hot Agents (ALPHA) process. The as‐recovered HP and ALPHA‐fractionated HP lignins were characterized to determine hydroxyl content, molecular weight (Mw) distribution, and pH. Both lignin‐based foams met minimum standard requirements in terms of closed cell content, compression strength, and thermal conductivity. Notably, the foams made with ALPHA‐based lignin outperformed the as‐recovered lignin‐based foams in all measured foam properties. Moreover, the ALPHA‐based foam had comparable performance to the control foam (without lignin) except for density and even surpassed the control foam in closed cell content and compressive strength. This investigation of the molecular properties of lignin suggests that significant reductions in lignin average molecular weight and polydispersity (PDI) can positively impact the properties of lignin‐based rigid foams.
Accessible approach of fabricating pH‐responsive nanofibrous membranes with photothermal effect as antibacterial wound dressings
Authors: Chen Xuefei , Wang Yi , Zhang Qianqian , Meng Jie , Pan Tiandi , Xu Huaizhong , Du Lei , Yang Xiaohua
Published: September 2023

The synergistic antibacterial effect of photothermal and drug treatments is a promising therapeutic method for treating the persistent bacterial infection of chronic wounds. In this study, we used electrospinning to fabricate functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber membranes as antibacterial wound dressings after incorporating tannic acid (TA) and ferric ion (Fe3+). The abilities of pH‐responsive controlled release TA and the photothermal effect of the membrane were obtained by introducing the TA/Fe3+ complexes. Additionally, the membrane had a defined nanofibrous network structure, excellent mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and water uptake ability. While the controlled release of TA endowed the membrane with high antibacterial properties at different pH values, the antibacterial ratio was further enhanced by approximately 10% under the photothermal synergistic effect. These results indicate that the PCL/TA/Fe3+ nanofiber membranes could be regarded as an ideal candidate for treating bacterial infection of chronic wounds.
Neuronal scaling in the olfactory system of bats
Authors: Eiting Thomas P. , Smith Timothy D. , Forger Nancy G. , Dumont Elizabeth R.
Published: September 2023

Comparative studies are a common way to address large‐scale questions in sensory biology. For studies that investigate olfactory abilities, the most commonly used metric is olfactory bulb size. However, recent work has called into question the broad‐scale use of olfactory bulb size. In this paper, we use three neuroanatomical measures with a more mechanistic link to olfactory function (number of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), number of mitral cells (MCs), and number of glomeruli) to ask how species with different diets may differ with respect to olfactory ability. We use phyllostomid bats as our study system because behavioral and physiological work has shown that fruit‐ and nectar‐feeding phyllostomids rely on odors for detecting, localizing, and assessing potential foods, while insect‐eating species do not. Therefore, we predicted that fruit‐ and nectar‐feeding bats would have larger numbers of these three neuroanatomical measures than insect‐eating species. In general, our results supported the predictions. We found that fruit‐eaters had greater numbers of OSNs and glomeruli than insect‐eaters, but we found no difference between groups in number of MCs. We also examined the allometric relationship between the three neuroanatomical variables and olfactory bulb volume, and we found isometry in all cases. These findings lend support to the notion that neuroanatomical measures can offer valuable insights into comparative olfactory abilities, and suggest that the size of the olfactory bulb may be an informative parameter to use at the whole‐organism level.
Through the fingers: Use of plastinated anatomical specimens for visually impaired students
Authors: de Lima Paola , Silva Renata Souza e , Guedert Denis Guilherme , Mesquita Érica Silva , Ramos Vitória Sousa , Firmiano Bárbara da Paixão Xavier , Nunes Cavalcanti Carlos Victor , Domingos Ingrid Lorane de Sousa , Silva Paulo Goberlânio de Barros , Gondim Delane Viana , Vale Mariana Lima
Published: September 2023

The plastination technique produces non‐toxic human tissues, ensuring their safe handling in educational settings. This investigation aimed to understand if visually impaired students profit from the use of plastinated anatomical specimens in learning the anatomy of the nervous system. For this purpose, their learning performance was compared to sighted and blindfolded students recruited from three primary schools in Fortaleza city, in the state of Ceará. Initially, a questionnaire was applied before carrying out the pedagogical practice, followed by an anatomy lecture with practical components with the use of plastinated anatomical specimens and synthetic anatomical models of the nervous system. After these steps, the students answered the questionnaire previously applied. Our results showed that the tactile perception of the visually impaired participants was significantly more developed compared to sighted (p < 0.001) and the blindfolded (p < 0.0001) students. The average of correct answers in the reapplied questionnaire was higher in the groups that used plastinated specimens (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of plastinated specimens has proven to be an effective tool in promoting a better understanding of anatomical structures, mainly for students with or without visual impairments, making it a valuable asset in anatomy teaching.
A model for bank reserves versus treasuries under Basel III
Authors: van Schalkwyk Garth J. , Witbooi Peter J.
Published: September 2023

Recently, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision introduced strategies to protect banks from running out of liquidity. These measures included an increase of the minimum reserves that the bank ought to hold, in response to the global financial crisis. We propose a model to minimize risk for a bank by finding an appropriate mix of diversification, balanced against return on the portfolio. In particular, we consider jump diffusion models of bank reserves in order to address the risk due to deposit withdrawals. We formulate a stochastic optimal control problem related to the minimization of deposit risk and the reserve process, the net cash flows from depository activity, and cumulative cost of the bank's provisioning strategy. We analyze the main risk management issues arising from the optimization problem, with respect to the reserve requirement ratio, supported by simulations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic comparisons of series and parallel systems with generalized linear failure rate components
Authors: Fang Longxiang , Balakrishnan N.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we discuss stochastic comparisons of series and parallel systems comprising independent and heterogeneous generalized linear failure rate components. When a system with possibly different shape and scale parameters has its matrix of parameters changing to another matrix of parameters in a certain mathematical sense, we examine the usual stochastic order of the smallest and largest order statistics under such a setup. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulating Bidirectional Catalytic Activity Through a RuNi Nanoalloy on Facile Candle Soot Carbon Towards Efficient Lithium‐CO2Mars Batteries
Authors: Chourasia Ankit Kumar , Naik Keerti M. , Sharma Chandra S.
Published: September 2023

Lithium‐CO2 batteries have been at the forefront of reducing CO2 emissions and addressing the present energy crisis. As the Martian atmosphere is 95 % CO2, this battery technology is ideal as a stand‐alone energy storage device on the planet. However, challenges such as low reversibility, high charging voltages, and poor cycling life restrict its practicability. The current study addresses these by increasing the reversibility of the active reaction sites on the cathode via a synergistic interaction between the RuNi nanoparticle catalyst and candle soot carbon (CSC). This helps the system achieve a full discharge capacity of 15207 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 200 mA g−1 with 99.3 % coulombic efficiency and an efficient cycling life of over 100 cycles at a higher current density of 500 mA g−1 for a limited capacity of 500 mAh g−1. Further, combining ex‐situ physical characterizations and density functional theory helps understand the underlying mechanism for improving the bidirectional CO2 reduction and evolution activities during discharging and charging. The study, thus using a bimetallic catalyst and carbon, provides an approach for a single solution towards addressing the dual challenges of regulating CO2 emissions on Earth and providing a constant energy source on Mars.
Modulatory effects of point‐mutated IL‐32θ (A94V) on tumor progression in triple‐negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Park Hyo‐Min , Park Jae‐Young , Kim Na‐Yeon , Kim Jinju , Pham Thu‐Huyen , Hong Jin Tae , Yoon Do‐Young
Published: September 2023

Breast cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Tumor‐associated macrophages stimulate cytokines and chemokines, which induce angiogenesis, metastasis, proliferation, and tumor‐infiltrating immune cells. Although interleukin‐32 (IL‐32) has been implicated in the development and modulation of several cancers, its function in breast cancer remains elusive. Mutation of interleukin‐32θ (IL‐32θ) in the tissues of patients with breast cancer was detected by Sanger sequencing. RT‐qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and mediators. The secreted proteins were detected using respective enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of mutant IL‐32θ on proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells was conducted using MTS assays, migration assays, and Western blotting. A point mutation (281C>T, Ala94Val) was detected in IL‐32θ in both breast tumors and adjacent normal tissues, which suppressed the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors, EMT factors, and cell cycle related factors. Mutated IL‐32θ inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the NF‐κB pathway. Furthermore, mutated IL‐32θ suppressed EMT markers and cell cycle related factors through the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. It was inferred that mutated IL‐32θ modulates breast cancer progression. Mutated IL‐32θ (A94V) inhibited inflammation, EMT, and proliferation in breast cancer by regulating the NF‐κB (p65/p50) and FAK‐PI3K‐GSK3 pathways.
Application and evaluation of nine‐grid thinking model in biochemistry teaching
Authors: Huang Yan , Pei Jinhong , Wang Junmei , Li Xueqing , Li Yuna
Published: September 2023

Biochemistry is an important professional course to undergraduates majoring in rehabilitation therapy in medical colleges and universities. To deepen students' understanding of the taught content, enhance their application ability and cultivate their high‐level thinking ability, we investigated the effect of integration of the nine‐grid thinking model into the teaching process. With the inline and divergence of relevant knowledge as the guiding ideology, students' understanding of knowledge points was deepened through thinking visualization. According to the questionnaire survey, 75% of the students believed that the application of the nine‐grid thinking model was an effective teaching method for improving the efficiency of teaching and enhancing the teaching effect. In addition, a team of four students from the investigated class were granted by the 2021 Shanxi University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program and awarded RMB 6000 as a research fund (20210563). According to them, the application of the nine‐grid thinking model in teaching is of great significance for cultivating students' higher‐order thinking ability. The findings of this study might provide a new, effective approach to college course teaching.
Achieving the circular economy through environmental policies: Packaging strategies for more sustainable business models in the wine industry
Authors: Mura Rita , Vicentini Francesca , Botti Ludovico Maria , Chiriacò Maria Vincenza
Published: September 2023

The environmental and economic benefits of adopting a circular economy (CE) approach could be significant for firms. The CE and packaging constitute a fundamental binomial for our economy, yet there are still few studies of the advantages for food value chains, especially in the wine sector. Therefore, in this paper, we address this research gap by measuring the environmental and economic performance of a circular business model (CBM) adopting the wine industry as a reference. We apply a combination of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methods to a small Italian winemaking firm, which implements a circular strategy through the take‐back and refurbishment of wine packaging components. Results show that by implementing this sustainable and CBM, a firm can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 8 to 90% and save from 6 to 63% of its economic costs.
Accomplishing sustainable performance through leaders' competencies, green entrepreneurial orientation, and innovation in an emerging economy: Moderating role of institutional support
Authors: Ishaq Muhammad Ishtiaq , Sarwar Huma , Aftab Junaid , Franzoni Simona , Raza Ali
Published: September 2023

Implementing sustainable initiatives requires a competent leader who can sense the importance of entrepreneurial opportunities to outperform their competitors using interpersonal and sustainable skills. Considering this, current research seeks the underlying role of green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and green innovation (GI) between leaders' competencies and sustainable performance in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) of an emerging economy. This paper also examines institutional support as a moderator between GI and sustainable performance. The data from 329 SMEs using multi‐respondent and time‐lagged strategies were collected and analyzed using “structural equation modeling.” The results demonstrate that leaders' competencies significantly predicted GEO and GI, while GI strongly influences economic performance. Additionally, the association between GI and sustainable performance is strengthened by institutional support. Theoretically, this study empirically tested that leaders' sustainable competencies can lead to GI and sustainable performance. For practitioners, this study proposes that institutional support is an important factor that should be properly exploited for better social, environmental, and economic performance.
SIRT2 inhibitor SirReal2 enhances anti‐tumor effects of PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS‐5584 on acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Luo Yiming , Zhao Haijun , Zhu Jingtao , Zhang Liyi , Zha Jie , Zhang Li , Ding Yi , Jian Xinyi , Xia Junjie , Xu Bing , Qi Zhongquan
Published: September 2023

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive form of cancer that is frequently diagnosed in adults and small molecule inhibitors have gained significant attention as a potential treatment option for AML.

Methods

The up‐regulated genes in AML were identified through bioinformatics analysis. Potential candidate agents were selected through pharmacogenomics analysis. Proteomic experiments were conducted to determine the molecular mechanism after inhibitor treatment. To evaluate drug synergy, both cellular functional experiments and an AML mouse model were used.

Results

Through bioinformatics analysis, we conducted a screening for genes that are highly expressed in AML, which led to the identification of nine small‐molecule inhibitors. Among these inhibitors, the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS‐5584 demonstrated significant effectiveness in inhibiting AML cell proliferation at low concentrations. Further testing revealed that VS‐5584 induced apoptosis and cycle arrest of AML cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Proteomics analysis showed significant changes in protein expression profiles of AML cells after VS‐5584 treatment, with 287 proteins being down‐regulated and 71 proteins being up‐regulated. The proteins that exhibited differential expression were primarily involved in regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis, as determined by GO analysis. Additionally, KEGG analysis indicated that the administration of VS‐5584 predominantly affected the P53 and SIRT2 signaling pathways. The use of SIRT2 inhibitor SirReal2 alongside VS‐5584 caused a significant reduction in the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of VS‐5584 on AML cells. In vivo, experiments suggested that VS‐5584 combined with SirReal2 suppressed tumor growth in the subcutaneous model and extended the survival rate of mice injected with tumor cells via tail vein.

Conclusions

Taken together, the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS‐5584 was effective in suppressing AML cell proliferation. PI3K/mTOR inhibitor combined with SIRT2 inhibitor exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect on AML cells. Our findings offer promising therapeutic strategies and drug candidates for the treatment of AML.
Sulfone/Carbonyl‐Based Donor‐Acceptor Fluorescent Dyes: Synthesis, Structures, Photophysical Properties and Cell Imaging
Authors: Na Weidan , An Lei , Wu Qiong , Cai Keying , Ou Changjin , Zhuang Wenchang
Published: September 2023

Electron‐accepting units play vital roles in constructing donor‐acceptor (D‐A) conjugated organic optoelectronic materials; the electronic structures and functions of the acceptors need to be carefully unveiled to controllably tailor the optoelectronic properties. We have synthesized two D‐A conjugated organic fluorophores, TPA‐SO and TPA‐CO, with similar molecular skeletons based on sulfone‐ or carbonyl‐containing polycyclic aromatic acceptors. Both TPA‐SO and TPA‐CO display obvious solvent polarity‐dependent photophysical properties and large Stokes shift of over 100 nm for strong intramolecular charge transfer processes. Experimental evidence indicates that the sulfone group in TPA‐SO merely serves as a strong electron‐withdrawing unit. TPA‐SO shows yellowish‐green emission with a peak at 542 nm and an absolute photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 98 % in solution, whereas the carbonyl group in TPA‐CO can act as both an electron‐withdrawing unit and spin transition convertor, so TPA‐CO displays red emission with a low absolute PLQY of 0.32 % in solution. Impressively, upon going from solution to aggregate state, TPA‐SO nanoparticles keep a high PLQY of 9.5 % and moderate biocompatibility, thus they are good nano‐agents for cellular fluorescence imaging. The results reveal that the inherent acceptor characteristic acts as a crucial effect in the photophysical properties and applications of the organic fluorophores.
Two‐Dimensional Living Supramolecular Polymerization: Improvement in Edge Roughness of Supramolecular Nanosheets by Using a Dummy Monomer
Authors: Jin Zhehui , Sasaki Norihiko , Kishida Natsuki , Takeuchi Masayuki , Wakayama Yutaka , Sugiyasu Kazunori
Published: September 2023

Supramolecular polymers are formed through nucleation (i. e., initiation) and polymerization processes, and kinetic control over the nucleation process has recently led to the realization of living supramolecular polymerization. Changing the viewpoint, herein we focus on controlling the polymerization process, which we expect to pave the way to further developments in controlled supramolecular polymerization. In our previous study, two‐dimensional living supramolecular polymerization was used to produce supramolecular nanosheets with a controlled area; however, these had rough edges. In this study, the growth of the nanosheets was controlled by using a ‘dummy’ monomer to produce supramolecular nanosheets with smoothed edges.
Improving cancer prediction using feature selection in spark environment
Authors: Longkumer Imtisenla , Hussain Mazumder Dilwar
Published: September 2023

Cancer prediction from microarray‐based gene expression data has been subject to much research in recent years. Because of its vast number of features and relatively smaller sample sizes, feature selection becomes necessary for improving classification performance. Additionally, the characteristics of this malignant condition may often vary, providing a significant amount of data that requires additional time and resources to process. This research work proposes an Apache Spark‐based feature selection for microarray cancer classification. The first aim is to select only the optimal and necessary features obtained by the feature selector(information gain [IG] and correlation‐based feature selection [CFS]). Secondly, employ a distributed framework and observe the efficiency of the different feature selectors for classification. Finally, we evaluated our approach in terms of accuracy, precision, recall and ROC (AUC) using three classifiers: support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes (NB), and decision tree (DT). The results reveal that the NB classifier outperformed in all the cases with IG as a feature selector.
Refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced trauma: Thematic synthesis of therapeutic boundary considerations
Authors: Davoren Niamh , McEleney Alice , Corcoran Santhi , Tierney Phelim , Fortune Dónal G.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Therapeutic boundaries are limits to appropriate behaviours within a therapist–client relationship (e.g. related to accepting gifts, self‐disclosures, therapist neutrality and advocacy). Therapeutic boundary considerations are fundamental in the care of refugees and asylum seekers. Research on the experiences of therapists navigating such boundaries is sparse and warrants further exploration. The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to thematically synthesise literature regarding therapists' (psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors) experiences of implementing flexible therapeutic boundaries with refugee and asylum seeker clients and determine how such applications have been helpful for therapeutic interventions.

Method

Six databases were searched. Following full‐text screening, 21 papers were included in the analysis. Boundary theory underpinned the analysis.

Results

Three major themes were developed: (i) Changes to Therapeutic Practice & Therapeutic Intervention, (ii) Re‐Conceptualisation of Therapy as ‘Clinical Political’ and Re‐Conceptualisation of Therapist Identity and (iii) Careful Monitoring of Personal Boundaries—Not becoming ‘Hardened’ or ‘Haunted’. Papers described how, when used in a reflective, considerate way, flexible therapeutic boundaries can strengthen the therapist–client alliance and positively impact therapeutic interventions. Many therapists acknowledged making conscious efforts to re‐conceptualise therapeutic work with refugee and asylum seeker clients from advocacy standpoints. However, systemic constraints, and lack of guidance, made this difficult to navigate and contributed to therapist burn‐out.

Conclusions

Boundary considerations manifested as interpersonal, structural and cultural changes to practice. These have implications for clinical practice and developing guidelines on boundary practices with refugees and asylum seekers. Future research should explore promoting therapist well‐being and training needs for therapists supporting this population.
TICBase: Integrated Resource for Data on Drug and Environmental Chemical Interactions with Mammalian Drug Transporters
Authors: Michel Matthew E. , Wen Christopher C. , Yee Sook Wah , Giacomini Kathleen M. , Hamdoun Amro , Nicklisch Sascha C. T.
Published: September 2023

Environmental health science seeks to predict how environmental toxins, chemical toxicants, and prescription drugs accumulate and interact within the body. Xenobiotic transporters of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) superfamilies are major determinants of the uptake and disposition of xenobiotics across the kingdoms of life. The goal of this study was to integrate drug and environmental chemical interactions of mammalian ABC and SLC proteins in a centralized, integrative database. We built upon an existing publicly accessible platform—the “TransPortal”—which was updated with novel data and searchable features on transporter‐interfering chemicals from manually curated literature data. The integrated resource TransPortal‐TICBase (https://transportal.compbio.ucsf.edu) now contains information on 46 different mammalian xenobiotic transporters of the ABC‐ and SLC‐type superfamilies, including 13 newly added rodent and 2 additional human drug transporters, 126 clinical drug–drug interactions, and a more than quadrupled expansion of the initial in vitro chemical interaction data from 1,402 to 6,296 total interactions. Based on our updated database, environmental interference with major human and rodent drug transporters occurs across the ABC‐ and SLC‐type superfamilies, with kinetics indicating that some chemicals, such as the ionic liquid 1‐hexylpyridinium chloride and the antiseptic chlorhexidine, can act as strong inhibitors with potencies similar or even higher than pharmacological model inhibitors. The new integrated web portal serves as a central repository of current and emerging data for interactions of prescription drugs and environmental chemicals with human drug transporters. This archive has important implications for predicting adverse drug–drug and drug‐environmental chemical interactions and can serve as a reference website for the broader scientific community of clinicians and researchers.