bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding prokaryotic genes by the ‘frame-by-frame’
algorithm: targeting gene starts and overlapping genes
Authors: M.Shmatkov Anton , A.Melikyan Arik , L.Chernousko Felix , Borodovsky Mark
Published: July 2002

Motivation: Tightly packed prokaryotic genes frequently overlap with each other. This feature, rarely seen in eukaryotic DNA, makes detection of translation initiation sites and, therefore, exact predictions of prokaryotic genes notoriously difficult. Improving the accuracy of precise gene prediction in prokaryotic genomic DNA remains an important open problem.

Results: A software program implementing a new algorithm utilizing a uniform Hidden Markov Model for prokaryotic gene prediction was developed. The algorithm analyzes a given DNA sequence in each of six possible global reading frames independently. Twelve complete prokaryotic genomes were analyzed using the new tool. The accuracy of gene finding, predicting locations of protein-coding ORFs, as well as the accuracy of precise gene prediction, and detecting the whole gene including translation initiation codon were assessed by comparison with existing annotation. It was shown that in terms of gene finding, the program performs at least as well as the previously developed tools, such as GeneMark and GLIMMER. In terms of precise gene prediction the new program was shown to be more accurate, by several percentage points, than earlier developed tools, such as GeneMark.hmm, ECOPARSE and ORPHEUS. The results of testing the program indicated the possibility of systematic bias in start codon annotation in several early sequenced prokaryotic genomes.

Availability: The new gene-finding program can be accessed through the Web site: http://dixie.biology.gatech.edu/GeneMark/fbf.cgi

Contact: mark@amber.gatech.edu
Are the Effects of Monetary Policy Asymmetric?
Authors: Garcia René , Schaller Huntley
Published: July 2002

By building on the Hamilton (1989) Markov switching model, we examine questions like: Does monetary policy have the same effect in expansions and recessions? Given that the economy is currently in a recession, does a fall in interest rates increase the probability of an expansion? Does monetary policy have an incremental effect on the growth rate within a given state, or does it only affect the economy if it is sufficiently strong to induce a state change (e.g., from recession to expansion)? As suggested by models with sticky prices or finance constraints, interest rate changes have larger effects during recessions.
Neuroimaging studies of autobiographical event memory
Authors: Maguire Eleanor A.
Published: July 2002

Commonalities and differences in findings across neuroimaging studies of autobiographical event memory are reviewed. In general terms, the overall pattern across studies is of medial and left–lateralized activations associated with retrieval of autobiographical event memories. It seems that the medial frontal cortex and left hippocampus in particular are responsive to such memories. However, there are also inconsistencies across studies, for example in the activation of the hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It is likely that methodological differences between studies contribute to the disparate findings. Quantifying and assessing autobiographical event memories presents a challenge in many domains, including neuroimaging. Methodological factors that may be pertinent to the interpretation of the neuroimaging data and the design of future experiments are discussed. Consideration is also given to aspects of memory that functional neuroimaging might be uniquely disposed to examine. These include assessing the functionality of damaged tissue in patients and the estimation of inter–regional communication (effective connectivity) between relevant brain regions.
Inexpensive wooden-ball models for close-packed crystal structures
Authors: Eggert Jon
Published: July 2002

The two common close-packed structures, face-centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal close packed (hcp), play a leading role in discussions of crystal structure in solid-state physics courses. It is also common in crystal chemistry to describe many inorganic crystal structures based on either the fcc or the hcp structure, generally with one atom type occupying the close-packed lattice sites and other atoms occupying a fraction of the tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial sites. This note describes simple, inexpensive ball models for the fcc and hcp structures through which students can gain an intuitive, hands-on feel for the structures, their interstitial sites, and their primitive cells.
Effects of consonant environment on vowel formant patterns
Authors: Hillenbrand James M. , Clark Michael J. , Nearey Terrance M.
Published: July 2002

A significant body of evidence has accumulated indicating that vowel identification is influenced by spectral change patterns. For example, a large-scale study of vowel formant patterns showed substantial improvements in category separability when a pattern classifier was trained on multiple samples of the formant pattern rather than a single sample at steady state [J. Hillenbrand et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 3099–3111 (1995)]. However, in the earlier study all utterances were recorded in a constant /hVd/ environment. The main purpose of the present study was to determine whether a close relationship between vowel identity and spectral change patterns is maintained when the consonant environment is allowed to vary. Recordings were made of six men and six women producing eight vowels (/i,ɪ,ɛ,æ,ɑ,ᴜ,u,ʌ/) in isolation and in CVC syllables. The CVC utterances consisted of all combinations of seven initial consonants (/h,b,d,g,p,t,k/) and six final consonants (/b,d,g,p,t,k/). Formant frequencies for F1–F3 were measured every 5 ms during the vowel using an interactive editing tool. Results showed highly significant effects of phonetic environment. As with an earlier study of this type, particularly large shifts in formant patterns were seen for rounded vowels in alveolar environments [K. Stevens and A. House, J. Speech Hear. Res. 6, 111–128 (1963)]. Despite these context effects, substantial improvements in category separability were observed when a pattern classifier incorporated spectral change information. Modeling work showed that many aspects of listener behavior could be accounted for by a fairly simple pattern classifier incorporating F0, duration, and two discrete samples of the formant pattern.
Interpretation of the spectra of energy scattered by dispersed anchovies
Authors: Diachok Orest
Published: July 2002

The spectra of backscattered energy by dispersed anchovies, which were reported by Holliday (1972), reveal several peaks at frequencies that correspond to theoretically calculated resonance frequencies of year classes of anchovies. Theoretical calculations are based on concurrent measurements of distributions of swim bladder dimensions and a modified form of Minnaert’s (1933) equation. Differences between calculated and measured values of the mean lengths of the second-, third-, and fourth-year classes are within experimental uncertainties (±8%). The calculated mean lengths of juvenile anchovies are in good agreement with historical measurements of the bounds on this parameter (Butler, 1989). Matching of theoretical calculations and measurements of backscattered energy level versus frequency yields estimates of the total Q of the spectral line, QT, and the relative number density per year class. The resultant estimate of QT of adult anchovies is approximately 4.4. This value of QT is consistent with laboratory measurements of the Q of individual anchovies, Q0 (∼7 at 15 m) and measurements of length distributions of year classes and depth distributions. Resultant estimates of relative number densities of year classes were consistent with historical measurements of the relative number densities of year classes of anchovies in the Southern California Bight.
Speech dynamic range and its effect on cochlear implant performance
Authors: Zeng Fan-Gang , Grant Ginger , Niparko John , Galvin John , Shannon Robert , Opie Jane , Segel Phil
Published: July 2002

This study examines optimal conversions of speech sounds to audible electric currents in cochlear-implant listeners. The speech dynamic range was measured for 20 consonants and 12 vowels spoken by five female and five male talkers. Even when the maximal root-mean-square (rms) level was normalized for all phoneme tokens, both broadband and narrow-band acoustic analyses showed an approximately 50-dB distribution of speech envelope levels. Phoneme recognition was also obtained in ten CLARION implant users as a function of the input dynamic range from 10 to 80 dB in 10-dB steps. Acoustic amplitudes within a specified input dynamic range were logarithmically mapped into the 10–20-dB range of electric stimulation typically found in cochlear-implant users. Consistent with acoustic data, the perceptual data showed that a 50–60-dB input dynamic range produced optimal speech recognition in these implant users. The present results indicate that speech dynamic range is much greater than the commonly assumed 30-dB range. A new amplitude mapping strategy, based on envelope distribution differences between consonants and vowels, is proposed to optimize acoustic-to-electric mapping of speech sounds. This new strategy will use a logarithmic map for low-frequency channels and a more compressive map for high-frequency channels, and may improve overall speech recognition for cochlear-implant users.
A reflex resonance model of vocal vibrato
Authors: Titze Ingo R. , Story Brad , Smith Marshall , Long Russel
Published: July 2002

A reflex mechanism with a long latency (>40 ms) is implicated as a plausible cause of vocal vibrato. At least one pair of agonist–antagonist muscles that can change vocal-fold length is needed, such as the cricothyroid muscle paired with the thyroarytenoid muscle, or the cricothyroid muscle paired with the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle or a strap muscle. Such an agonist–antagonist muscle pair can produce negative feedback instability in vocal-fold length with this long reflex latency, producing oscillations on the order of 5–7 Hz. It is shown that singers appear to increase the gain in the reflex loop to cultivate the vibrato, which grows out of a spectrum of 0–15-Hz physiologic tremors in raw form.
Line-focusing of ultrasonic SV wave by electromagnetic acoustic transducer
Authors: Ogi Hirotsugu , Hirao Masahiko , Ohtani Toshihiro
Published: July 2002

An electromagnetic acoustic transducer has been developed for line-focusing the shear-vertical (SV) wave in a metal. The EMAT consists of a permanent magnet to supply the bias magnetic field normal to the surface, and a meanderline coil to induce the dynamic field and eddy currents in the surface region of the sample. The meanderline spacing is continuously changed so that the generated SV waves from all segment sources become coherent on the focal line after traveling oblique paths. The printed circuit technique enables the fabrication of such a functionally spaced meanderline coil within 1-μm accuracy. The directivity is measured using a half-cylindrical sample of an aluminum alloy, which shows a much sharper radiation pattern of the focusing EMAT than the EMAT having a meanderline coil of constant spacings. This EMAT is then tested through detecting a shallow notch. The scattered signal from the notch is received by the same EMAT, which shows enough strength even for the notch of 0.2-mm depth.
Fundamental frequency during phonetically governed devoicing in normal young and aged speakers
Authors: Watson Ben C.
Published: July 2002

Age-related changes in the laryngeal system can be perceived as altered vocal pitch and increased pitch variability. However, reports vary as to the nature and extent of an age effect on fundamental frequency (F0) for analyses taken over long segments of connected speech. Analysis of F0 across a smaller time frame may be more informative. Young speakers show an increase in F0 associated with phonetically governed devoicing gestures that is likely mediated by increased vocal fold stiffness. Anatomic and neurophysiologic changes in the aged larynx may limit the role of increased vocal fold stiffness in the devoicing gesture. This study tests the hypothesis that aged speakers show a smaller increase in F0 in association with the devoicing gesture for production of an intervocalic voiceless obstruent than do young speakers. Normal young and aged speakers produced a short sentence containing an intervocalic voiceless obstruent. Measures of F0 were obtained for ten cycles before voice offset and ten cycles after voice onset. Young speakers showed a small increase in F0 during devoicing whereas aged speakers showed a decrease in F0 during devoicing. Aged speakers seem to rely more on vocal fold abduction rather than a combination of abduction and tensing to achieve devoicing.
Vibration of a membrane whose shape is the union of two circles—Method of internal matching
Authors: Wang C. Y.
Published: July 2002

The vibration of a membrane shaped like a simply connected figure eight is studied. The domain is simplified to a single circle region using the internal matching method. The results also include the circular membrane with one segment constrained.
Properties of blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer with a flexible polymer (Vectra/PET)
Authors: Kim Woo Nyon , Denn Morton M.
Published: July 2002

Blends of Vectra A900, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were studied over the entire composition range using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and rotational rheometry. There is some interaction between the polymers, as evidenced by melting- and crystallization-point depression in the PET phase. The shear rheology deviates substantially from simple mixing laws and from predictions of an emulsion model of dispersed blends. The viscosity of LCP-rich compositions exceeds that of either component at low rates and frequencies. The viscosity of PET-rich compositions falls below that of either component at low rates and frequencies. The latter observation cannot be explained by deformation and orientation of the LCP phase, since the dispersed LCP inclusions remain spherical following steady shear.
X-ray powder diffraction studies of multipyrazole series compounds
Authors: PuLan Yu , Shuang Ding , Yuan Qiao Yuan , XinKan Yao , HaiYue Zhang , ShaoFan Lin
Published: July 2002

X-ray powder diffraction data are reported for a series of multipyrazole compounds in this paper. This work shows that the unit cell dimensions determined by single crystal agree well with those of powder diffraction analysis.
Association of Hospice Payer With Concurrent Receipt of Hospice and Dialysis Among US Veterans With End-stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Wachterman Melissa W. , Corneau Emily E. , O’Hare Ann M. , Keating Nancy L. , Mor Vincent
Published: October 2022

Importance

For many patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), the Medicare Hospice Benefit precludes concurrent receipt of hospice and dialysis services, forcing patients to choose between continuing dialysis or enrolling in hospice. Whether the more liberal hospice eligibility criteria of the Veterans Health Administration’s (VA) are associated with improved access to concurrent dialysis and hospice care for patients with ESKD is not known.

Objective

To examine the frequency of concurrent hospice and dialysis care among US veterans by hospice payer and examine the payer for concurrent dialysis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all 70 577 VA enrollees in the US Renal Data System registry who initiated maintenance dialysis and died in 2007 to 2016. Data were analyzed from April 2021 to August 2022.

Exposures

Hospice payer, either Medicare, VA inpatient hospice, or VA-financed community-based hospice (“VA community care”). Primary hospice diagnosis–ESKD vs non-ESKD.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Concurrent receipt of hospice and dialysis services (“concurrent care”).

Results

There were 18 420 (26%) eligible veterans with ESKD who received hospice services (mean [SD] age, 75.4 [10.0] years; 17 457 [94.8%] men; 2997 [16.3%] Black, 15 162 [82.3%] White, and 261 (1.4%) individuals of other races). Most of the sample (n = 16 465; 89%) received hospice services under Medicare and 5231 (28%) continued to receive dialysis after hospice initiation. The adjusted proportion of veterans receiving concurrent care was higher for those enrolled in VA inpatient hospice or VA community care hospice than it was for those enrolled in Medicare hospice (55% and 42% vs 25%, respectively; both P < .001). Regardless of hospice payer, the majority (87%) of the dialysis treatments after hospice initiation were financed by the VA, including for Medicare beneficiaries who had a hospice diagnosis other than ESKD. Median hospice length of stay was 43 days for veterans who received concurrent dialysis vs 4 days for those who did not.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective cross-sectional study of US veterans with ESKD, a substantially higher proportion of veterans in VA-financed hospice received 1 or more dialysis treatments after hospice initiation than those enrolled in Medicare-financed hospice. Regardless of hospice payer, the VA financed most concurrent dialysis treatments. Hospice users who received concurrent dialysis care had substantially longer hospice lengths of stay than those who did not. These findings suggest that Medicare hospice policy may substantially restrict access to concurrent hospice and dialysis care among veterans with ESKD.
Association of Symptoms After COVID-19 Vaccination With Anti–SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Hermann Emilia A. , Lee Benjamin , Balte Pallavi P. , Xanthakis Vanessa , Kirkpatrick Beth D. , Cushman Mary , Oelsner Elizabeth
Published: October 2022

This cohort study examines the association of self-reported postvaccination symptoms with anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibody response among Framingham Heart Study participants contributing to the Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research study.
Variation in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Effectiveness in the US by Age at Vaccination
Authors: Egemen Didem , Katki Hormuzd A. , Chaturvedi Anil K. , Landy Rebecca , Cheung Li C.
Published: October 2022

This survey study assesses the status and timing of HPV vaccination as self-reported by female participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018.
Association of Neonatal Pain-Related Stress and Parent Interaction With Internalizing Behaviors Across 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 8.0 Years in Children Born Very Preterm
Authors: McLean Mia A. , Scoten Olivia C. , Chau Cecil M. Y. , Synnes Anne , Miller Steven P. , Grunau Ruth E.
Published: October 2022

Importance

Internalizing (anxiety and/or depressive) behaviors are prevalent in children born very preterm (24-32 weeks’ gestation). Procedural pain-related stress in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with long-term internalizing problems in this population; however, whether positive parenting during toddlerhood attenuates development of internalizing behaviors across childhood is unknown.

Objective

To investigate whether neonatal pain-related stress is associated with trajectories of internalizing behaviors across 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 8.0 years, and whether supportive parenting behaviors and lower parenting stress at 1.5 and 3.0 years attenuate this association.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, preterm neonates (born at 24-32 weeks’ gestation) were recruited from August 16, 2006, to September 9, 2013, with follow-up visits at ages 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 8.0 years. The study was conducted at BC Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, with recruitment from a level III neonatal intensive care unit and sequential developmental assessments performed in a Neonatal Follow-up Program. Data analysis was performed from August to December 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Parental report of child internalizing behaviors on the Child Behavior Checklist at 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 8.0 years.

Results

A total of 234 neonates were recruited, and 186 children (101 boys [54%]) were included in the current study across ages 1.5 (159 children), 3.0 (169 children), 4.5 (162 children), and 8.0 (153 children) years. After accounting for clinical factors associated with prematurity, greater neonatal pain-related stress was associated with more internalizing behaviors across ages (B = 4.95; 95% CI, 0.76 to 9.14). Higher parenting stress at age 1.5 years (B = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.23) and a less supportive parent environment (less sensitivity, structure, nonintrusiveness, nonhostility, and higher parenting stress; B = −5.47; 95% CI, −9.44 to −1.51) at 3.0 years were associated with greater internalizing problems across development to age 8.0 years.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of children born very preterm, exposure to repetitive neonatal pain-related stress was associated with persistent internalizing behavior problems across toddlerhood to age 8.0 years. Supportive parenting behaviors during early childhood were associated with better long-term behavioral outcomes, whereas elevated parenting stress was associated with more child anxiety and/or depressive behaviors in this population. These findings reinforce the need to prevent pain in preterm neonates and inform future development of targeted parent-led behavioral interventions.
Cellular and physiological roles of the conserved atypical MAP kinase ERK7
Authors: Deniz Onur , Hasygar Kiran , Hietakangas Ville
Published: October 2022

Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 7 (ERK7), also known as ERK8 and MAPK15, is an atypical member of the MAP kinase family. Compared with other MAP kinases, the biological roles of ERK7 remain poorly understood. Recent work, however, has revealed several novel functions for ERK7. These include a highly conserved essential role in ciliogenesis, the ability to control cell growth, metabolism and autophagy, as well as the maintenance of genomic integrity. ERK7 functions through phosphorylation‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms and it is activated by cellular stressors, including DNA‐damaging agents, and nutrient deprivation. Here, we summarize recent developments in understanding ERK7 function, emphasizing its conserved roles in cellular and physiological regulation.
Frequency, underdiagnosis, and heterogeneity of epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutations using real‐world genomic datasets
Authors: Viteri Santiago , Minchom Anna , Bazhenova Lyudmila , Ou Sai‐Hong Ignatius , Bauml Joshua M. , Shell Scott A. , Schaffer Michael , Gu Junchen , Rose Jennifer B. , Curtin Joshua C. , Mahadevia Parthiv , Girard Nicolas
Published: October 2022

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations (ex20ins) account for ≤ 12% of all EGFR‐mutant nonsmall cell lung cancers. We analysed real‐world datasets to determine the frequency of ex20ins variants, and the ability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) to identify them. Three real‐world United States NGS databases were used: GENIE, FoundationInsights, and GuardantINFORM. Mutation profiles consistent with in‐frame EGFR ex20ins were summarized. GENIE, FoundationInsights, and GuardantINFORM datasets identified 180, 627, and 627 patients with EGFR ex20ins respectively. The most frequent insertion region of exon 20 was the near loop (~ 70%), followed by the far loop (~ 30%) and the helical (~ 3–6%) regions. GENIE, FoundationInsights, and GuardantINFORM datasets identified 41, 102, and 96 unique variants respectively. An analysis of variants projected that ~ 50% of EGFR ex20ins identified by NGS would have been missed by PCR‐based assays. Given the breadth of EGFR ex20ins identified in the real‐world US datasets, the ability of PCR to identify these mutations is limited. NGS platforms are more appropriate to identify patients likely to benefit from EGFR ex20ins‐targeted therapies.
Flagellar Propulsion of Sperm Cells Against a Time‐Periodic Interaction Force
Authors: Wang Zihan , Klingner Anke , Magdanz Veronika , Hoppenreijs Merijn W. , Misra Sarthak , Khalil Islam S. M.
Published: October 2022

Sperm cells undergo complex interactions with external environments, such as a solid‐boundary, fluid flow, as well as other cells before arriving at the fertilization site. The interaction with the oviductal epithelium, as a site of sperm storage, is one type of cell‐to‐cell interaction that serves as a selection mechanism. Abnormal sperm cells with poor swimming performance, the major cause of male infertility, are filtered out by this selection mechanism. In this study, collinear bundles, consisting of two sperm cells, generate propulsive thrusts along opposite directions and allow to observe the influence of cell‐to‐cell interaction on flagellar wave‐patterns. The developed elasto‐hydrodynamic model demonstrates that steric and adhesive forces lead to highly symmetrical wave‐pattern and reduce the bending amplitude of the propagating wave. It is measured that the free cells exhibit a mean flagellar curvature of 6.4 ± 3.5 rad mm‐1 and a bending amplitude of 13.8 ± 2.8 rad mm‐1. After forming the collinear bundle, the mean flagellar curvature and bending amplitude are decreased to 1.8 ± 1.1 and 9.6 ± 1.4 rad mm‐1, respectively. This study presents consistent theoretical and experimental results important for understanding the adaptive behavior of sperm cells to the external time‐periodic force encountered during sperm–egg interaction.
Integrative Plant Sciences – Ecosystems in the Balance
Authors: Hutchison Alexander , Hu Yuming , Lei Lei , Montano Monty
Published: October 2022

A. Hutchison, Y. Hu, L. Lei, M. Montano
Immunocyte‐Derived Nanodrugs for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhu Xiao‐Yu , Wang Tian‐Yu , Jia Hao‐Ran , Wu Fu‐Gen
Published: October 2022

Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of the biomimetic nanotechnology regarding the use of certain components (such as cell membranes, extracellular vesicles, proteins, etc.) derived from different cells to fabricate nanoparticles (NPs) for cancer treatment. These biomimetic NPs usually inherit certain abilities from their parental cells, such as long blood circulation, capacity to escape from mononuclear phagocytic system, active tumor‐targeting, and controlled drug release. Immunocytes play vital roles in different tumor progression stages, and can quickly and accurately react to tumor progression via specific targeting and immune surveillance. Therefore, increasing studies focus on constructing biomimetic NPs with components isolated from immunocytes. This review introduces four main types of immunocyte‐derived nanodrugs—membrane‐coated NPs, exosomes or extracellular vesicles, functional protein‐incorporated NPs, and exosome mimetics—and summarizes the recent advances of these nanodrugs for cancer therapy. Some current challenges and future research directions of immunocyte‐derived nanodrugs are also proposed. It is hoped that this review may help researchers in the related field to design new immunocyte‐derived nanomedicines and promote their preclinical and clinical applications in the near future.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks and Electrospinning: A Happy Marriage for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Ahmadijokani Farhad , Molavi Hossein , Bahi Addie , Fernández Roberto , Alaee Parvin , Wu Siying , Wuttke Stefan , Ko Frank , Arjmand Mohammad
Published: October 2022

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), an emerging class of porous organic‐inorganic hybrid materials, have shown great potential for water and wastewater treatment applications. However, pure MOF powders have limited practical applications in water treatment due to their insolubility, poor processability, brittleness, safety hazard from dust formation, and difficult separation from aqueous solutions. Thus, exploring potential MOFs composites with improved separation performance is of great importance. The marriage of MOFs with electrospun nanofiber with forethought into the final product's morphology, structure, and chemistry has opened up new opportunities for efficient wastewater treatment. The present review exhaustively summarizes the strategies to integrate MOFs into nanofibers via electrospinning to remove various pollutants (i.e., organic dyes, heavy metal ions, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, oily compounds, organic solvents, etc.) via adsorption, photodegradation, and membrane filtration. Besides, the most recent advances of electrospun MOF nanofibers for wastewater treatment and their current challenges and future outlook are delineated.
Ultraductile Cementitious Structural Health Monitoring Coating: Waterborne Polymer Biomimetic Muscle and Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane‐Assisted C‐S‐H Dispersion
Authors: Pang Bo , Jin Zuquan , Zhang Yunsheng , Liu Zhiyong , She Wei , Wang Penggang , Yu Yong , Zhang Xiaoying , Xiong Chuansheng , Li Ning , Sun Guowen , Zhao Peng , Liu Guojian , Song Xiaoyun , Gao Song
Published: October 2022

Cement‐based sensors (CBSs) have demonstrated potential in structural health monitoring (SHM) despite rare applications due to their poor flexibility and sensing accuracy/protection with robustness. Herein, a promising strategy is reported to design a waterborne epoxy resin (WEP)‐modified cement‐based composite coating sensorcapable of simultaneous stable SHM and durable protection. The interpenetrating network (IPN) formed by WEP within cement paste is bionic to the toughness and crack resistance of biological muscle tissue and balances the ion permeation performance and polarization of hydration products. The polymerization‐redispersion progress and mechanism of calcium silicate hydrate (C‐S‐H) gel modified with [3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)‐propyl]trimethoxysilane silsesquioxane (C‐POSS) are characterized and revealed. The results show that the muscle‐like IPN increases the cement‐based coatings’ maximum deflection angle to 30° and improves the monitoring accuracy of compressive, tensile, and fatigue microchanges of concrete structures to more than 95%. The POSS···Ca2+···C‐S‐H interaction in C‐POSS partially transferred the intra‐adhesive hydrogen bonds surrounding the nanoconducer into electrostatic bridging ones to maintain an excellent electromechanical conductive dispersion.
Scalable Assembly of High‐Quality Graphene Films via Electrostatic‐Repulsion Aligning
Authors: Qian Wei , Fu Huaqiang , Sun Yi , Wang Zhe , Wu Han , Kou Zongkui , Li Bao‐Wen , He Daping , Nan Ce‐Wen
Published: October 2022

Assembling pristine graphene into freestanding films featuring high electrical conductivity, superior flexibility, and robust mechanical strength aims at meeting the all‐around high criteria of new‐generation electronics. However, voids and defects produced in the macroscopic assembly process of graphene nanosheets severely degrade the performance of graphene films, and mechanical brittleness often limits their applications in wide scenarios. To address such challenges, an electrostatic‐repulsion aligning strategy is demonstrated to produce highly conductive, ultraflexible, and multifunctional graphene films. Typically, the high electronegativity of titania nanosheets (TiNS) induces the aligning of negatively charged graphene nanosheets via electrostatic repulsion in the film assembly. The resultant graphene films show fine microstructure, enhanced mechanical properties, and improved electrical conductivity up to 1.285 × 105 S m−1. Moreover, the graphene films can withstand 5000 repeated folding without structural damage and electrical resistance fluctuation. These comprehensive improved properties, combined with the facile synthesis method and scalable production, make these graphene films a promising platform for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal‐management applications in smart and wearable electronics.
MXene‐Boosted Imine Cathodes with Extended Conjugated Structure for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Xiaoshuang , Liu Yanan , Wei Zengyan , Hong Jingzhe , Liang Hongbo , Song Meixiu , Zhou Yu , Huang Xiaoxiao
Published: October 2022

Organic molecules have been considered promising energy‐storage materials in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), but are plagued by poor conductivity and structural instability because of the short‐range conjugated structure and low molecular weight. Herein, an imine‐based tris(aza)pentacene (TAP) with extended conjugated effects along the CN backbones is proposed, which is in situ injected into layered MXene to form a TAP/Ti3C2Txcathode. Theoretical and electrochemical analyses reveal a selective H+/Zn2+co‐insertion/extraction mechanism in TAP, which is ascribed to the steric effect on the availability of active CN sites. Moreover, Ti3C2Tx, as a conductive scaffold, favors fast Zn2+diffusion to boost the electrode kinetics of TAP. Close electronic interactions between TAP and Ti3C2Txpreserve the structural integrity of TAP/Ti3C2Txduring the repeated charge/discharge. Accordingly, the TAP/Ti3C2Txcathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 303 mAh g−1at 0.04 A g−1in aqueous ZIBs, which also realizes an ultralong lifetime over 10 000 cycles with a capacity retention of 81.6%. Furthermore, flexible Zn||TAP/Ti3C2Txbatteries with a quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte demonstrate potential application in wearable electronic devices. This work offers pivotal guidance to create highly stable organic electrodes for advanced ZIBs.
Spontaneous Interface Healing by a Dynamic Liquid‐Crystal Transition for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Du Xinyi , Zhang Lu , Chen Ran , You Jiaxue , Ma Yabin , Wang Jungang , Wu Yin , Liu Baibai , Zhao Kui , Chen Jiangzhao , Chen Xinbing , An Zhongwei , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: October 2022

Low‐temperature solution processing of thin‐film semiconductors is more cost‐effective than traditional vacuum processing; however, it leads to more defects during fast bulk crystallization and residual tensile stress. Herein, a new strategy of dynamic liquid‐crystal transition (DLCT) is developed to solve these problems in one step. The design principle is used to suggest that the DLCT molecule should firstly interact with the perovskite grains in the bulk and meanwhile go through a dynamic transition to spontaneously heal the interface. A thermotropic LC molecule (CBO6SS6OCB) is then designed to demonstrate the strategy. The LC interacting with perovskite colloid forms an intermediate adduct to retard the crystallization. The annealing processes stimulate the concentrated LC solid, causing it to flow to the electron transport layer to release the residual stress to attain improved electron extraction. Consequently, the device efficiency is increased to 24.38%, where its VOC of 1.184 V is among the best for the formamidine‐based perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, the ambient stability (93.0% of initial efficiency after 2000 h of aging) and light stability (96.3% of initial efficiency after 500 h of aging) are much improved. This work conceives a new engineering of additive phase transition for high‐performance perovskite solar cells.
Fullerene‐Based Inverted Perovskite Solar Cell: A Key to Achieve Promising, Stable, and Efficient Photovoltaics
Authors: Zahran Raneen , Hawash Zafer
Published: October 2022

Fullerene is one of the most critical materials that are widely used to improve and examine the inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs, p‐i‐n structure). Fullerenes are known to improve the stability, lower the hysteresis, and increase the power conversion efficiency of the PSCs. Fullerene and its derivatives are often used in constructing effective PSCs. Several properties and performance of fullerenes are the key bases for testing and making effective alternatives that can improve the performance of PSCs. This review summarizes some of the most important fullerenes (i.e., fullerene and its derivatives) that are employed in inverted (p‐i‐n) PSCs and their physical properties that can overcome the well‐known shortcomings in perovskite materials. The current density–voltage hysteresis in PSC and the fullerenes role in lowering the hysteresis are discussed. Moreover, fullerenes are also reviewed as electron transport layer, cathode buffer layer, and additives for perovskites. Enhanced stability by using fullerene derivatives is illustrated. Additionally, fullerenes in flexible and tandem PSCs as well as advantages and disadvantages of fullerenes are briefly discussed. Finally, an overview of the fullerene future in PSCs is discussed with alternative nonfullerene materials used in PSC.
NiS2/MoS2 Hetero‐Nanosheets Grown on Double‐Layered Hollow Carbon Nanospheres for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Luan Xinxin , Zhu Kaili , Wang Chuanjie , Shi Wenbin , Szymska Alicja , Matras‐Postolek Katarzyna , Yang Ping
Published: October 2022

To obtain catalysts with high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and low initial potential, NiS2/MoS2 composite nanosheets are grown on double‐layer hollow carbon spheres (DLHCs@NiS2/MoS2) by a template method including calcination and hydrothermal processes. DLHCs as excellent electrocatalytic substrates reveal large specific surface area, high conductivity, and much more attachment sites. The DLHCs as the substrate greatly reduce the aggregation of MoS2 nanosheets, which reveal more active sites and excellent activity of hydrogen production. The result indicates that MoS2 nanosheets have high catalytic activity under acidic conditions and low catalytic activity under alkaline conditions. Furthermore, layered NiS2/MoS2 heterojunctions are created in site on DLHCs by a two‐step hydrothermal procedure. The resulting sample exhibits low overpotential and high HER activity both in acidic and alkaline conditions. Using optimized preparation conditions, sample DLHCs@NiS2/MoS2‐6 reveal enhanced HER activity in a broad pH range. The onset potentials are 159 and 139 mV at 1 mA cm2 in acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively. The formation of DLHCs@NiS2/MoS2 composites provides an efficient way to develop catalysts for water splitting.
Terahertz Spin‐to‐Charge Current Conversion in Stacks of Ferromagnets and the Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenide NbSe2
Authors: Nádvorník Lukáš , Gueckstock Oliver , Braun Lukas , Niu Chengwang , Gräfe Joachim , Richter Gunther , Schütz Gisela , Takagi Hidenori , Zeer Mahmoud , Seifert Tom S. , Kubaščík Peter , Pandeya Avanindra K. , Anane Abdelmadjid , Yang Heejun , Bedoya‐Pinto Amilcar , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Wolf Martin , Mokrousov Yuriy , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Kampfrath Tobias
Published: October 2022

Transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are an aspiring class of materials with unique electronic and optical properties and potential applications in spin‐based electronics. Here, terahertz emission spectroscopy is used to study spin‐to‐charge current conversion (S2C) in the TMDC NbSe2 in ultra‐high‐vacuum‐grown F|NbSe2 thin‐film stacks, where F is a layer of ferromagnetic Fe or Ni. Ultrafast laser excitation triggers an ultrafast spin current that is converted into an in‐plane charge current and, thus, a measurable THz electromagnetic pulse. The THz signal amplitude as a function of the NbSe2 thickness shows that the measured signals are fully consistent with an ultrafast optically driven injection of an in‐plane‐polarized spin current into NbSe2. Modeling of the spin‐current dynamics reveals that a sizable fraction of the total S2C originates from the bulk of NbSe2 with the opposite, negative sign of the spin Hall angle as compared to Pt. By a quantitative comparison of the emitted THz radiation from F|NbSe2 to F|Pt reference samples and the results of ab initio calculations, it is estimated that the spin Hall angle of NbSe2 for an in‐plane polarized spin current lies between ‐0.2% and ‐1.1%, while the THz spin‐current relaxation length is of the order of a few nanometers.
Porous Graphene‐Based Photothermal Superhydrophobic Surface for Robust Anti‐Icing and Efficient De‐Icing
Authors: Wang Lu , Li Jingxing , Chen Zhaochuan , Song Zitao , Meng Xin , Chen Xuemei
Published: October 2022

The problem of ice accumulation causes huge inconvenience in daily life and industrial application. Although superhydrophobic surfaces are promising for preventing ice formation, they may become ineffective in extreme environments. Here, a durable photothermal superhydrophobic surface on aluminum substrate (SHPo‐LIG@Al) is prepared through laser‐induced graphene (LIG) technology of polyimide (PI). Owing to the photothermal effect of graphene, the surface exhibits high light absorption rate (≈98%) and efficient photothermal conversion (surface temperature rises to 65 °C within 15 min under 1 sun). Compared to the conventional superhydrophobic surface (SHPo‐Al), ultra‐long droplet freezing time or even droplet un‐frozen is achieved on SHPo‐LIG@Al surface by varying the sunlight intensity. Moreover, it is interesting to find that satellite condensate droplets are formed around the three‐phase contact line of deposited droplet under 1 sun or 2 sun; the satellite condensate droplets would gradually evaporate till disappear and then bubbles start to nucleate on solid surface underneath the deposited droplet under 2 sun. Furthermore, the SHPo‐LIG@Al surface exhibits retarded frost formation and remarkable de‐icing/de‐frosting durability under sunlight irradiation, as well as self‐cleaning, chemical stability and corrosion resistance. This study may provide important insights for the development of photothermal superhydrophobic surface for anti‐icing/de‐icing applications.
Double‐Layer Structural Compatible Protective Material with Excellent Microwave Absorption and Heat Shielding Performance
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Pang Huifang , Lei Hao , Wang Meng , Duan Yuping
Published: October 2022

In view of the practical demands and mechanistic conflicts between microwave absorption and heat shielding compatibility, a double‐layer composite coating based on moth‐eyed hexagonal anti‐reflective structure is prepared by combining the advantages of metamaterials and coatings. The hexagonal periodic sequential configuration of the upper infrared shield layer (IRSL) can break the continuity of the electric field, induce a networked concentration of the surface current and internal electric field of the microwave absorption layer, thus optimizing the impedance matching and counteract the attenuated absorption performance due to the high dielectric IRSL. In addition, the emissivity of IRSL can be tuned artificially by changing the filler composition and particle size. The structural double‐layer composite coatings have a maximum effective absorption (reflection loss←10 dB) bandwidth of 7.4 GHz in the SKu bands at deep subwavelength thickness, while the infrared emissivity is 0.292. This work provides a novel approach for multispectral modulation in the field of advanced compatible protection systems.
Hybrid Camouflaged Anticounterfeiting Token in a Paper Substrate
Authors: Ferraro Antonio , Lio Giuseppe Emanuele , Bruno Mauro Daniel Luigi , Nocentini Sara , De Santo Maria Penolepe , Wiersma Diederik Sybolt , Riboli Francesco , Caputo Roberto , Barberi Riccardo Cristoforo
Published: October 2022

Anticounterfeiting of goods is an urgent need both for luxury and cheap everyday life products. Their identification is usually based on overt technologies as printed codes, easy to produce but to be cloned as well. In this work, a standard QR‐code printed on office paper but hidden by a plasmonic multilayer system is exploited. The covert label is then protected by a peculiar reading mechanism, which is only possible in specific illumination conditions. The overall photonic structure consisting of the metal –insulator –metal –insulator, the printed random QR code and the paper substrate results in a strong physical unclonable function (PUF) that provides a multi‐level identification and authentication of goods ensuring uniqueness of nominally quasi‐identical tags and resistance to tampering/cloning attacks. The proposed paper‐based camouflage physical unclonable function (PC‐PUF) can be easily fabricated by low cost and large area techniques paving the way for an easy integration in an industrial supply‐chain as tags devoted to protect consumer merchandises.
Stereolithographically 3D Printed SiC Metastructure for Ultrabroadband and High Temperature Microwave Absorption
Authors: Zhou Niping , Zhang Lu , Wang Wenqing , Zhang Xueqin , Zhang Keqiang , Chen Mingji , Huang Yixing , He Rujie , Fang Daining
Published: October 2022

Broadband microwave absorption is essential on the realms of electromagnetic compatibility and protection in civil application scenarios. However, coordination of material and structure is difficult without proper iterative design between material and structure resulting in insurmountable drawbacks of traditional microwave absorption medium operating under high temperature erosion. Herein, SiC metastructure is manufactured in bulk by stereolithographic 3D printing. The dielectric loss tangent of SiC sintered body is over 0.5 and up to 1.5 at most showing good electromagnetic energy dissipation properties. The optimized SiC metastructure with complicated suspended features achieves −10 dB broadband microwave absorption from 6.96 to 40 GHz at room temperature (RT) across total frequency range of 33.04 GHz. The proposed SiC metastructure is able to endure in situ 1000 °C and ex situ 1600 °C erosion in air atmosphere maintaining −10 dB effective bandwidth in 4.54–40 and 10.89–39.67 GHz, respectively. Broadband microwave absorption under oblique incidence from 0° to 60° is also achieved in a wide temperature range from RT to 1600 °C. The densification of SiC results in a high mechanical strength of 217.36 MPa for structural load bearing applications. The intrinsic electromagnetic variation of SiC under different temperature is relaxed and adapted to the metastructure design. The functions of broadband microwave absorption and high temperature protection are integrated into one metastructure.
Nanomedicine‐Enabled/Augmented Cell Pyroptosis for Efficient Tumor Nanotherapy
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Zhou Yajun , Zhao Shuangshuang , Ding Li , Chen Baoding , Chen Yu
Published: October 2022

The terrible morbidity and mortality of malignant tumors urgently require innovative therapeutics, especially for apoptosis‐resistant tumors. Pyroptosis, a pro‐inflammatory form of programmed cell death (PCD), is featured with pore formation in plasma membrane, cell swelling with giant bubbles, and leakage of cytoplasmic pro‐inflammatory cytokines, which can remodel the tumor immune microenvironment by stimulating a “cold” tumor microenvironment to be an immunogenic “hot” tumor microenvironment, and consequently augment the therapeutic efficiency of malignant tumors. Benefiting from current advances in nanotechnology, nanomedicine is extensively applied to potentiate, enable, and augment pyroptosis for enhancing cancer‐therapeutic efficacy and specificity. This review provides a concentrated summary and discussion of the most recent progress achieved in this emerging field, highlighting the nanomedicine‐enabled/augmented specific pyroptosis strategy for favoring the construction of next‐generation nanomedicines to efficiently induce PCD. It is highly expected that the further clinical translation of nanomedicine can be accelerated by inducing pyroptotic cell death based on bioactive nanomedicines.