bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DropLab: an automated magnetic digital microfluidic platform for sample-to-answer point-of-care testing—development and application to quantitative immunodiagnostics
Authors: Hu Xuyang , Gao Xiangyu , Chen Songlin , Guo Jinhong , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2023

In point-of-care testing (POCT), tests are performed near patients and results are given rapidly for timely clinical decisions. Immunodiagnostic assays are one of the most important analyses for detecting and quantifying protein-based biomarkers. However, existing POCT immunodiagnostics mainly rely on the lateral flow assay (LFA), which has limited sensitivity or quantification capability. Although other immunodiagnostic assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), offer more sensitive and quantitative results, they require complex liquid manipulations that are difficult to implement in POCT settings by conventional means. Here, we show the development of DropLab, an automated sample-in-answer-out POCT immunodiagnostic platform based on magnetic digital microfluidic (MDM) technology. DropLab performs microbead-based ELISA in droplets to offer more sensitive and quantitative testing results. The intricate liquid manipulations required for ELISA are accomplished by controlling droplets with magnetic microbeads using MDM technology, which enables us to achieve full automation and easy operations with DropLab. Four ELISAs (the sample in triplicates and a negative control) can be run in parallel on the thermoformed disposable chip, which greatly improves the throughput and accuracy compared to those of other POCT immunodiagnostic devices. DropLab was validated by measuring two protein targets and one antibody target. The testing results showed that the limit of detection (LOD) of DropLab matched that of the conventional ELISA in a microwell plate. DropLab brings MDM one step closer to being a viable medical technology that is ready for real-world POCT applications.
Pevonedistat, a Nedd8-activating enzyme inhibitor, in combination with ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Torka Pallawi , Thiruvengadam Swetha Kambhampati , Chen Lu , Wang Xiaoguang , Chen Canping , Vuong Dan , Qin Hanjun , Muir Alexandra , Orand Kirsten , Borja Ivana , Lynne Smith D. , Herrera Alex F. , Spurgeon Stephen E. F. , Park Byung , Lewis Lionel D. , Hernandez-Ilizaliturri Francisco , Xia Zheng , Danilov Alexey V.
Published: January 2023

Pevonedistat (TAK924) is a Nedd8-activating enzyme inhibitor with preclinical activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This open-label, Phase I, multicenter, investigator-sponsored study enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) NHL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The primary objective was safety. Pevonedistat was given intravenously on days 1, 3, 5 of a 21-day cycle for 8 cycles at five dose levels (15 to 50 mg/m2); ibrutinib was administered at 420 or 560 mg orally daily continuously. Eighteen patients with NHL were enrolled, including 8 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and 4 patients with CLL. One dose-limiting toxicity (mediastinal hemorrhage) occurred at 50 mg/m2 of pevonedistat which is the estimated maximum tolerated dose. Bruising and diarrhea were the most common adverse events (56% and 44%). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 3 patients (17%). Grade ≥3 toxicities included arthralgia, atrial fibrillation, bone pain, diarrhea, hypertension, and mediastinal hemorrhage (one patient each). The overall response rate (ORR) was 65% (100% ORR in MCL). Pevonedistat disposition was not modified by ibrutinib. scRNA-Seq analysis showed that pevonedistat downregulated NFκB signaling in malignant B-cells in vivo. Thus, pevonedistat combined with ibrutinib demonstrated safety and promising early efficacy in NHL and CLL. NAE inhibition downregulated NFκB signaling in vivo.
SiO-induced thermal instability and interplay between graphite and SiO in graphite/SiO composite anode
Authors: Lee Ban Seok , Oh Sang-Hwan , Choi Yoon Jeong , Yi Min-Jeong , Kim So Hee , Kim Shin-Yeong , Sung Yung-Eun , Shin Sun Young , Lee Yongju , Yu Seung-Ho
Published: January 2023

Silicon monoxide (SiO), which exhibits better cyclability compared to silicon while delivering higher capacity than that of graphite, is an adequate material for the development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) having higher energy densities. However, incorporating silicon-based materials including SiO into stable graphite anode inevitably degrades not only cycle life but also calendar life of LIBs, while little is known about their aging mechanisms. Here, SiO-induced thermal instability of the graphite/SiO composite anode is investigated. We reveal that under thermal exposure, SiO accelerates the loss of lithium inventory and concomitantly facilitates the lithium de-intercalation from graphite. This self-discharge phenomenon, which is weakly observed in the graphite anode without SiO, is the result of preferential parasitic reaction on the SiO interface and spontaneous electron and lithium-ion migration to equilibrate the electron energy imbalance between graphite and SiO. Understanding this underlying electron-level interplay between graphite and SiO in the composite anode will contribute toward improving shelf life of SiO-containing LIBs in actual operating conditions.
The SPOC domain is a phosphoserine binding module that bridges transcription machinery with co- and post-transcriptional regulators
Authors: Appel Lisa-Marie , Franke Vedran , Benedum Johannes , Grishkovskaya Irina , Strobl Xué , Polyansky Anton , Ammann Gregor , Platzer Sebastian , Neudolt Andrea , Wunder Anna , Walch Lena , Kaiser Stefanie , Zagrovic Bojan , Djinovic-Carugo Kristina , Akalin Altuna , Slade Dea
Published: January 2023

The heptad repeats of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) are extensively modified throughout the transcription cycle. The CTD coordinates RNA synthesis and processing by recruiting transcription regulators as well as RNA capping, splicing and 3’end processing factors. The SPOC domain of PHF3 was recently identified as a CTD reader domain specifically binding to phosphorylated serine-2 residues in adjacent CTD repeats. Here, we establish the SPOC domains of the human proteins DIDO, SHARP (also known as SPEN) and RBM15 as phosphoserine binding modules that can act as CTD readers but also recognize other phosphorylated binding partners. We report the crystal structure of SHARP SPOC in complex with CTD and identify the molecular determinants for its specific binding to phosphorylated serine-5. PHF3 and DIDO SPOC domains preferentially interact with the Pol II elongation complex, while RBM15 and SHARP SPOC domains engage with writers and readers of m6A, the most abundant RNA modification. RBM15 positively regulates m6A levels and mRNA stability in a SPOC-dependent manner, while SHARP SPOC is essential for its localization to inactive X-chromosomes. Our findings suggest that the SPOC domain is a major interface between the transcription machinery and regulators of transcription and co-transcriptional processes.
Bio-inspired magnetic-driven folded diaphragm for biomimetic robot
Authors: Lin Dezhao , Yang Fan , Gong Di , Li Ruihong
Published: January 2023

Functional soft materials, exhibiting multiple types of deformation, have shown their potential/abilities to achieve complicated biomimetic behaviors (soft robots). Inspired by the locomotion of earthworm, which is conducted through the contraction and stretching between body segments, this study proposes a type of one-piece-mold folded diaphragm, consisting of the structure of body segments with radial magnetization property, to achieve large 3D and bi-directional deformation with inside-volume change capability subjected to the low homogeneous magnetically driving field (40 mT). Moreover, the appearance based on the proposed magnetic-driven folded diaphragm is able to be easily customized to desired ones and then implanted into different untethered soft robotic systems as soft drivers. To verify the above points, we design the diaphragm pump providing unique properties of lightweight, powerful output and rapid response, and the soft robot including the bio-earthworm crawling robot and swimming robot inspired by squid to exhibit the flexible and rapid locomotion excited by single homogeneous magnetic fields.
Identification of the ageing‐related prognostic gene signature, and the associated regulation axis in skin cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Tian Chonglin , Liu Sujing , Huo Ran
Published: January 2023

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) has substantial malignancy and a poor prognosis. The function of ageing-related genes (ARGs) in SKCM is unknown. In this study, a prognostic risk-scoring model for ARG was constructed based on SKCM RNA-seq, mutation, and clinical data in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our novel prognostic model, which included four ARGs (IRS2, PDGFRA, TFAP2A, and SOD2), could distinguish between low-risk and high-risk groups. Low-risk patients benefited more from immunotherapy and commonly used targeted and chemotherapy drugs than high-risk patients. There were also considerable differences in immunocyte infiltration and tumour microenvironment between the two groups. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, pT_stage, pM_stage, body mass index, tumour mutation burden, and risk score were independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with SKCM; therefore, we devised a prognosis nomogram. Last, a long non-coding (lncRNA) NEAT1/miR-33a-5p/IRS2 regulatory axis of the competing endogenous RNA network was built to investigate the mechanisms of SKCM metastasis progression. Grouping based on the scoring system could predict the prognosis of SKCM and predict the sensitivity of patients to immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. This could facilitate the formulation of individualised treatment strategies and help drug research and development. These findings highlight the regulatory axis of the lncRNA NEAT1/miR-33a-5p/IRS2, which may play a role in SKCM metastasis.
Investigation of interfacial strength in nacre-mimicking tungsten heavy alloys for nuclear fusion applications
Authors: Haag J. V. , Wang J. , Kruska K. , Olszta M. J. , Henager C. H. , Edwards D. J. , Setyawan W. , Murayama M.
Published: January 2023

Tungsten heavy alloys have been proposed as plasma facing material components in nuclear fusion reactors and require experimental investigation in their confirmation. For this purpose, a 90W–7Ni–3Fe alloy has been selected and microstructurally manipulated to present a multiphase brick-and-mortar structure of W-phase ‘bricks’ surrounded by a ductile ‘mortar’. This work draws inspiration from nature to artificially imitate the extraordinary combination of strength and stiffness exhibited by mollusks and produce a nacre-mimicking metal matrix composite capable of withstanding the extremely hostile environment of the reactor interior and maintaining structural integrity. The underlying mechanisms behind this integrity have been probed through high-resolution structural and chemical characterization techniques and have revealed chemically diffuse phase boundaries exhibiting unexpected lattice coherency. These features have been attributed to an increase in the energy required for interfacial decohesion in these systems and the simultaneous expression of high strength and toughness in tungsten heavy alloys.
Social and cognitive factors influencing commercial chicken farmers’ antimicrobial usage in Bangladesh
Authors: Imam Tasneem , Gibson Justine S. , Gupta Suman Das , Foysal Mohammad , Das Shetu B. , Hoque Md Ahasanul , Fournié Guillaume , Henning Joerg
Published: January 2023

Adapting the Social Cognitive Theory framework, we conducted a cross-sectional study on 137 commercial chicken farms in Bangladesh to investigate factors influencing the behaviour of farmers towards the application of antimicrobials to their birds. Almost all farmers used antimicrobials to treat poultry diseases, while 38.6% also were using them to promote healthy growth of chickens and 10.2% to increase egg production or improve meat quality. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we identified that inappropriate usage of antimicrobials (behaviour) was strongly driven by farmers’ short-term goals to maintain the health of their chickens in a production cycle (β = 0.813, p = 0.029), rather than long-term concerns. Farmers’ perception about their ability to control antimicrobial administration based on their skills and opportunities (self-efficacy) marginally influenced the short-term goals of antimicrobial usage (β = 0.301, p = 0.073). The results of this study can be used to develop targeted education programs for farmers, to reduce the application of antimicrobials in their poultry flocks.
Global analysis of the association between pig muscle fatty acid composition and gene expression using RNA-Seq
Authors: Valdés-Hernández Jesús , Ramayo-Caldas Yuliaxis , Passols Magí , Sebastià Cristina , Criado-Mesas Lourdes , Crespo-Piazuelo Daniel , Esteve-Codina Anna , Castelló Anna , Sánchez Armand , Folch Josep M.
Published: January 2023

Fatty acids (FAs) play an essential role as mediators of cell signaling and signal transduction, affecting metabolic homeostasis and determining meat quality in pigs. However, FAs are transformed by the action of several genes, such as those encoding desaturases and elongases of FAs in lipogenic tissues. The aim of the current work was to identify candidate genes, biological processes, and pathways involved in the modulation of intramuscular FA profile fromlongissimus dorsimuscle. FA profile by gas chromatography of methyl esters and gene expression by RNA-Seq were determined in 129 Iberian × Duroc backcrossed pigs. An association analysis between the muscle transcriptome and its FA profile was performed, followed by a concordance and functional analysis. Overall, a list of well-known (e.g.,PLIN1,LEP, ELOVL6, SC5D,NCOA2,ACSL1, MDH1, LPL,LGALS12, TFRC, GOT1,andFBP1) and novel (e.g.,TRARG1, TANK, ENSSSCG00000011196,andENSSSCG00000038429) candidate genes was identified, either in association with specific or several FA traits. Likewise, several of these genes belong to biological processes and pathways linked to energy, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism, which seem determinants in the modulation of FA compositions. This study can contribute to elucidate the complex relationship between gene expression and FA profile in pig muscle.
A nested bistable module within a negative feedback loop ensures different types of oscillations in signaling systems
Authors: Marrone Juan Ignacio , Sepulchre Jacques-Alexandre , Ventura Alejandra C.
Published: January 2023

In this article, we consider a double phosphorylation cycle, a ubiquitous signaling component, having the ability to display bistability, a behavior strongly related to the existence of positive feedback loops. If this component is connected to other signaling elements, it very likely undergoes some sort of protein–protein interaction. In several cases, these interactions result in a non-explicit negative feedback effect, leading to interlinked positive and negative feedbacks. This combination was studied in the literature as a way to generate relaxation-type oscillations. Here, we show that the two feedbacks together ensure two types of oscillations, the relaxation-type ones and a smoother type of oscillations functioning in a very narrow range of frequencies, in such a way that outside that range, the amplitude of the oscillations is severely compromised. Even more, we show that the two feedbacks are essential for both oscillatory types to emerge, and it is their hierarchy what determines the type of oscillation at work. We used bifurcation analyses and amplitude vs. frequency curves to characterize and classify the oscillations. We also applied the same ideas to another simple model, with the goal of generalizing what we learned from signaling models. The results obtained display the wealth of oscillatory dynamics that exists in a system with a bistable module nested within a negative feedback loop, showing how to transition between different types of oscillations and other dynamical behaviors such as excitability. Our work provides a framework for the study of other oscillatory systems based on bistable modules, from simple two-component models to more complex examples like the MAPK cascade and experimental cases like cell cycle oscillators.
Active particles crossing sharp viscosity gradients
Authors: Gong Jiahao , Shaik Vaseem A. , Elfring Gwynn J.
Published: January 2023

Active particles (living or synthetic) often move through inhomogeneous environments, such as gradients in light, heat or nutrient concentration, that can lead to directed motion (or taxis). Recent research has explored inhomogeneity in the rheological properties of a suspending fluid, in particular viscosity, as a mechanical (rather than biological) mechanism for taxis. Theoretical and experimental studies have shown that gradients in viscosity can lead to reorientation due to asymmetric viscous forces. In particular, recent experiments with Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii algae swimming across sharp viscosity gradients have observed that the microorganisms are redirected and scattered due to the viscosity change. Here we develop a simple theoretical model to explain these experiments. We model the swimmers as spherical squirmers and focus on small, but sharp, viscosity changes. We derive a law, analogous to Snell’s law of refraction, that governs the orientation of active particles in the presence of a viscosity interface. Theoretical predictions show good agreement with experiments and provide a mechanistic understanding of the observed reorientation process.
A novel optimization method for belief rule base expert system with activation rate
Authors: Xiang Gang , Wang Jie , Han XiaoXia , Tang Shuaiwen , Hu Guanyu
Published: January 2023

Although the belief rule base (BRB) expert system has many advantages, such as the effective use of semi-quantitative information, objective description of uncertainty, and efficient nonlinear modeling capability, it is always limited by the problem of combinatorial explosion. The main reason is that the optimization of a BRB with many rules will consume many computing resources, which makes it unable to meet the real-time requirements in some complex systems. Another reason is that the optimization process will destroy the interpretability of those parameters that belong to the inadequately activated rules given by experts. To solve these problems, a novel optimization method for BRB is proposed in this paper. Through the activation rate, the rules that have never been activated or inadequately activated are pruned during the optimization process. Furthermore, even if there is a complete data set and all rules are activated, the activation rate can also be used in the parallel optimization process of the BRB expert system, where the training data set is divided into some subprocesses. The proposed method effectively solves the combinatorial explosion problem of BRB and can make full use of quantitative data without destroying the original interpretability provided by experts. Case studies prove the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed method, which greatly expands the application fields of the BRB expert system.
Distinct patterns of serum and urine macrophage migration inhibitory factor kinetics predict death in sepsis: a prospective, observational clinical study
Authors: Toldi Janos , Kelava Leonardo , Marton Sandor , Muhl Diana , Kustan Peter , Feher Zsolt , Maar Klaudia , Garai Janos , Pakai Eszter , Garami Andras
Published: January 2023

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been considered as a biomarker in sepsis, however the predictive value of the pattern of its kinetics in the serum and in the urine has remained unclarified. It is also unclear whether the kinetics of MIF are different between males and females. We conducted a single-center prospective, observational study with repeated measurements of MIF in serum and urine on days 0, 2, and 4 from admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in 50 adult septic patients. We found that in patients who died within 90 days, there was an increase in serum MIF level from day 0 to 4, whereas in the survivors there was rather a decrease (p = 0.018). The kinetics were sex-dependent as the same difference in the pattern was present in males (p = 0.014), but not in females (p = 0.418). We also found that urine MIF was markedly lower in patients who died than in survivors of sepsis (p < 0.050). Urine MIF levels did not show temporal changes: there was no meaningful difference between day 0 and 4. These results suggest that kinetics of serum MIF during the initial days from ICU admission can predict death, especially in male patients. Additionally, lower urine MIF levels can also indicate death without showing meaningful temporal kinetics.
Allele-specific expression analysis for complex genetic phenotypes applied to a unique dilated cardiomyopathy cohort
Authors: van Beek Daan , Verdonschot Job , Derks Kasper , Brunner Han , de Kok Theo M. , Arts Ilja C. W. , Heymans Stephane , Kutmon Martina , Adriaens Michiel
Published: January 2023

Allele-specific expression (ASE) analysis detects the relative abundance of alleles at heterozygous loci as a proxy for cis-regulatory variation, which affects the personal transcriptome and proteome. This study describes the development and application of an ASE analysis pipeline on a unique cohort of 87 well phenotyped and RNA sequenced patients from the Maastricht Cardiomyopathy Registry with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a complex genetic disorder with a remaining gap in explained heritability. Regulatory processes for which ASE is a proxy might explain this gap. We found an overrepresentation of known DCM-associated genes among the significant results across the cohort. In addition, we were able to find genes of interest that have not been associated with DCM through conventional methods such as genome-wide association or differential gene expression studies. The pipeline offers RNA sequencing data processing, individual and population level ASE analyses as well as group comparisons and several intuitive visualizations such as Manhattan plots and protein–protein interaction networks. With this pipeline, we found evidence supporting the case that cis-regulatory variation contributes to the phenotypic heterogeneity of DCM. Additionally, our results highlight that ASE analysis offers an additional layer to conventional genomic and transcriptomic analyses for candidate gene identification and biological insight.
Assessment of gait and posture characteristics using a smartphone wearable system for persons with osteoporosis with and without falls
Authors: Doshi Krupa B. , Moon Seong Hyun , Whitaker Michael D. , Lockhart Thurmon E.
Published: January 2023

We used smartphone technology to differentiate the gait characteristics of older adults with osteoporosis with falls from those without falls. We assessed gait mannerism and obtained activities of daily living (ADLs) with wearable sensor systems (smartphones and inertial measurement units [IMUs]) to identify fall-risk characteristics. We recruited 49 persons with osteoporosis: 14 who had a fall within a year before recruitment and 35 without falls. IMU sensor signals were sampled at 50 Hz using a customized smartphone app (Lockhart Monitor) attached at the pelvic region. Longitudinal data was collected using MoveMonitor+ (DynaPort) IMU over three consecutive days. Given the close association between serum calcium, albumin, PTH, Vitamin D, and musculoskeletal health, we compared these markers in individuals with history of falls as compared to nonfallers. For the biochemical parameters fall group had significantly lower calcium (P = 0.01*) and albumin (P = 0.05*) and higher parathyroid hormone levels (P = 0.002**) than nonfall group. In addition, persons with falls had higher sway area (P = 0.031*), lower dynamic stability (P < 0.001***), gait velocity (P = 0.012*), and were less able to perform ADLs (P = 0.002**). Thus, persons with osteoporosis with a history of falls can be differentiated by using dynamic real-time measurements that can be easily captured by a smartphone app, thus avoiding traditional postural sway and gait measures that require individuals to be tested in a laboratory setting.
Powdered and beaded sawdust materials modified iron (III) oxide-hydroxide for adsorption of lead (II) ion and reactive blue 4 dye
Authors: Praipipat Pornsawai , Ngamsurach Pimploy , Kosumphan Sichon , Mokkarat Jirasak
Published: January 2023

The problems of lead and reactive blue 4 (RB4) dye contamination in wastewater are concerns because of their toxicities to aquatic life and water quality, so lead and RB4 dye removals are recommended to remove from wastewater before discharging. Sawdust powder (SP), sawdust powder doped iron (III) oxide-hydroxide (SPF), sawdust beads (SPB), and sawdust powder doped iron (III) oxide-hydroxide beads (SPFB) were synthesized and characterized with various techniques, and their lead or RB4 dye removal efficiencies were investigated by batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and desorption experiments. SPFB demonstrated higher specific surface area (11.020 m2 g−1) and smaller pore size (3.937 nm) than other materials. SP and SPF were irregular shapes with heterogeneous structures whereas SPB and SPFB had spherical shapes with coarse surfaces. Calcium (Ca) and oxygen (O) were found in all materials whereas iron (Fe) was only found in SPF and SPFB. O–H, C–H, C=C, and C–O were detected in all materials. Their lead removal efficiencies of all materials were higher than 82%, and RB4 dye removal efficiencies of SPB and SPFB were higher than 87%. Therefore, adding iron (III) oxide-hydroxide and changing material form helped to improve material efficiencies for lead or RB4 dye adsorption. SP and SPB corresponded to Langmuir model related to a physical adsorption process whereas SPF and SPFB corresponded to the Freundlich model correlated to a chemisorption process. All materials corresponded to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model relating to the chemical adsorption process. All materials could be reused more than 5 cycles with high lead removal of 63%, and SPB and SPFB also could be reused more than 5 cycles for high RB4 dye removal of 72%. Therefore, SPFB was a potential material to apply for lead or RB4 dye removal in industrial applications.
A recent view about encephalomyocarditis virus circulating in compartmentalised animal population in Northern Italy
Authors: Foglia E. A. , Pezzoni G. , Bonilauri P. , Torri D. , Grazioli S. , Brocchi E.
Published: January 2023

Encephalomyocarditis virus (Picornaviridae, Cardiovirus A) is the causative agent of the homonymous disease, which may induce myocarditis, encephalitis and reproductive disorders in various mammals, especially in swine. Despite the disease occurred endemically in pig farms since 1997, the recent increase of death experimented in Northern Italy prompted to furtherly investigate the evolution of the virus and the actual spread of the infection. Italian EMC viruses, collected between 2013 and 2019, showed an overall antigenic stability. The in-house ELISA Monoclonal Antibodies based, able to reveal changes in seven different antigenic sites, showed only sporadic and occasional mutations in considered samples and the subsequent phylogenetic analysis confirmed antigenic panel’s remarks. All the isolates could be classified within a unique lineage, which comprise other European strains and confirm that the viruses currently circulating in Italy developed from a unique common ancestor. Despite the demonstrated stability of virus, some putative newly emerged variants were detected through antigenic profile analysis and phylogenesis. Finally, the serosurvey proved that spread of EMCV is greater than the diffusion of fatal infections would suggest, due to subclinical circulation of EMCV. It demonstrated an increase in the proportion of seropositive farms, if compared with previous data with no remarkable differences between farms with and without clinical evidence of disease.
Benzoyl isothiocyanate modified surface of silica gel as the extraction material for adsorbing steroid hormones in water
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhao Jia-Hui , Lai Hua-Jie , Liu Bo , Zhang Miao , Xiao Ning-Lan , Wang Hao-Dong , Jin Tao
Published: January 2023

Steroid hormones have been listed as priority pollutants in the environment, and their detection and pollution control deserve our extensive attention.
Strain engineering of hyperbolic plasmons in monolayer carbon phosphide: a first-principles study
Authors: Dehdast Mahyar , Neek-Amal Mehdi , Stampfl Catherine , Pourfath Mahdi
Published: January 2023

Natural and tunable hyperbolic plasmons in the biaxially strained monolayer carbon phosphide.
High-efficiency electrosynthesis of ammonia with selective reduction of nitrite over an Ag nanoparticle-decorated TiO2 nanoribbon array
Authors: Fan Xiaoya , He Xun , Ji Xianchang , Zhang Longcheng , Li Jun , Hu Long , Li Xiuhong , Sun Shengjun , Zheng Dongdong , Luo Yongsong , Wang Yan , Xie Lisi , Liu Qian , Ying Binwu , Sun Xuping
Published: January 2023

An Ag nanoparticle-decorated TiO2 nanoribbon array on a titanium plate performs efficiently in electrocatalytic NO2− reduction to NH3, achieving a large NH3 yield of 8743.1 μg h−1 cm−2 with a high faradaic efficiency of 96.4%.
Mutation in the D1 domain of CD4 receptor modulates the binding affinity to HIV-1 gp120
Authors: Shao Jiping , Liu Gezhi , Lv Gang
Published: January 2023

HIV-1 gp120 is the key component for viral entry through interaction with CD4 D1. The 5 best docking solutions were retained according to the docking scores. SD1 bound to gp120 at which 15 residues formed 20 hydrogen bonds with 16 residues of gp120.
A novel reaction mechanism for the synthesis of coconut oil-derived biopolyol for rigid poly(urethane-urea) hybrid foam application
Authors: Dingcong Roger G. , Malaluan Roberto M. , Alguno Arnold C. , Estrada Dave Joseph E. , Lubguban Alona A. , Resurreccion Eleazer P. , Dumancas Gerard G. , Al-Moameri Harith H. , Lubguban Arnold A.
Published: January 2023

Synthesis of a coconut oil-based biopolyol via sequential glycerolysis and amidation; and its subsequent use as a sole polyol for rigid poly(urethane-urea) hybrid foam production.
Silica supported lanthanum trifluoroacetate and trichloroacetate as an efficient and reusable water compatible Lewis acid catalyst for synthesis of 2,4,5-triarylimidazoles via a solvent-free green approach
Authors: Gholap Dnyaneshwar Purushottam , Huse Ramdas , Dipake Sudarshan , Lande Machhindra K.
Published: January 2023

Silica supported lanthanum trifluoroacetate and trichloroacetate as green Lewis acid catalysts were developed by a novel, simple, cheap, and environment friendly method and utilized them in the synthesis of arylimidazole derivatives via one pot solvent-free approach.
Electron beam irradiation grafting of metal–organic frameworks onto cotton to prepare antimicrobial textiles
Authors: Liu Zepeng , Wang Ziqiang , Meng Yu , Song Yongchang , Li Linfan , Yu Ming , Li Jingye
Published: January 2023

Textiles of superior antimicrobial durability were synthesized by electron beam irradiation grafting of ZIF-8.
An efficient approach for the green synthesis of biologically active 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones using a magnetic EDTA coated copper based nanocomposite
Authors: Kohli Sahil , Rathee Garima , Hooda Sunita , Chandra Ramesh
Published: January 2023

The fabricated catalyst Fe3O4@EDTA/CuI facilitates the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones under sustainable conditions with ideal values of green metrics in a short reaction time.
A new and straightforward route to synthesize novel pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxylate scaffolds from 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles
Authors: Nguyen Hai Truong , Dang Phu Hoang , Tran Phuong Hoang
Published: January 2023

A new pathway for the synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxylate scaffolds from 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles and aniline has been developed using sulfonated amorphous carbon at room temperature.
A hydrophilic carbon foam/molybdenum disulfide composite as a self-floating solar evaporator
Authors: Mohseni Ahangar Ali , Hedayati Mohammad Ali , Maleki Mahdi , Ghanbari Hajar , Valanezhad Alireza , Watanabe Ikuya
Published: January 2023

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has gained increasing attention as an emerging and sustainable technology for wastewater treatment and desalinization.
Fabrication of white light emitting diodes via high yield surface passivated carbon quantum dots doped with terbium
Authors: Pratap Ravi , Vishal Vipul , Chaudhary Shilpi , Parmar Avanish Singh
Published: January 2023

Exploiting the unique characteristics of various materials to create novel hybrid materials opens up innovative possibilities for cutting-edge applications across numerous fields.
Introduction to the RSC Advances themed collection on Nanomaterials in drug delivery
Authors: Santos Hélder A. , Savina Irina N.
Published: January 2023

Professor Hélder A. Santos and Dr Irina N. Savina introduce the RSC Advances themed collection on Nanomaterials in drug delivery.
Highly efficient lithium-ion battery cathode material recycling using deep eutectic solvent based nanofluids
Authors: Liu Changhui , Cao Yuqi , Sun Wenjie , Zhang Tianjian , Wu Hongqu , Liu Qingyi , Rao Zhonghao , Gu Yanlong
Published: January 2023

DESs based nanofluids were utilized for the first time as a medium for recycling lithium ion batteries. 100% liberation efficiency and doubled leaching efficiency compared to pristine DES were achieved under mild conditions.
Encapsulated Ni nanoparticles in the incomplete graphite layer anchored on NiMo oxides enabling superior hydrogen evolution to Pt
Authors: Lu Jiajia , Deng Peng-Jun , Chen Anyong , Yang Chen , Zhu Hongwei , Liang Han-Pu
Published: January 2023

Carbon-encapsulation and etching–hydrolysis strategies are deployed to synthesize encapsulated Ni nanoparticles in the incomplete graphite layer anchored on NiMo oxides, which show superior hydrogen evolution to Pt.
Recent advances in metal-free covalent organic frameworks for photocatalytic applications in energy and environmental fields
Authors: Zhou Zilong , Xiao Yuting , Tian Jing , Nan Ning , Song Renjie , Li Jinheng
Published: January 2023

A review on metal-free COF photocatalysts from an environmental perspective is presented.
Chopped fibers and nano-hydroxyapatite enhanced silk fibroin porous hybrid scaffolds for bone augmentation
Authors: Jin Shue , Fu Xiaoxue , Zeng Weinan , Chen Anjing , Luo Zhenyu , Li Yubao , Zhou Zongke , Li Jidong
Published: January 2023

Chopped fiber (CF)- and nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA)-enhanced silk fibroin (SF) porous hybrid scaffolds (SHCF) were prepared by freeze-drying for bone augmentation.
Spatial‐temporal correlation graph convolutional networks for traffic forecasting
Authors: Huang Ru , Chen Zijian , Zhai Guangtao , He Jianhua , Chu Xiaoli
Published: January 2023

Traffic forecasting, as a fundamental and challenging problem of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), has always been the focus of researchers. Nevertheless, accurate traffic forecasting still exists some problems due to the complex spatial‐temporal dependencies and irregularities of traffic flows. Most of the existing methods typically use the spatial adjacency matrix and complicated mechanism to model spatial‐temporal relationships separately, while ignoring the latent spatial‐temporal correlations. In this paper, a novel architecture is proposed named spatial‐temporal correlation graph convolutional networks (STCGCN) for traffic prediction. First, an informative fused graph structure is constructed to better learn the complex spatial‐temporal correlations, which breaks the limitation that the general spatial adjacency matrix cannot reflect temporal correlations. Moreover, spatial‐temporal correlation graph convolution and gated temporal convolution are performed in parallel and they are integrated into a unified layer, which enables capturing both local and global spatial‐temporal dependencies simultaneously. By stacking multiple layers, STCGCN can learn more long‐range spatial‐temporal dependencies. Experimental results on five public traffic datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed STCGCN in urban traffic forecasting.
Exploring the hidden dimensions of an optical extreme learning machine
Authors: Silva Duarte , Ferreira Tiago , Moreira Felipe C. , Rosa Carla C. , Guerreiro Ariel , Silva Nuno A.
Published: January 2023

Extreme Learning Machines (ELMs) are a versatile Machine Learning (ML) algorithm that features as the main advantage the possibility of a seamless implementation with physical systems. Yet, despite the success of the physical implementations of ELMs, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding in regard to their optical implementations. In this context, this work makes use of an optical complex media and wavefront shaping techniques to implement a versatile optical ELM playground to gain a deeper insight into these machines. In particular, we present experimental evidences on the correlation between the effective dimensionality of the hidden space and its generalization capability, thus bringing the inner workings of optical ELMs under a new light and opening paths toward future technological implementations of similar principles.
Aluminum Material Recycling Efficiency Study Based on Multi-Country Comparison
Authors: Zhang Hansheng
Published: January 2023

Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the world and plays an important role in various industries, but the synthesis of bauxite into aluminum is accompanied by serious environmental pollution, such as electricity consumption, carbon dioxide, and toxic by-products. This paper analyzes the development of aluminum materials, specifically discusses how aluminum metal is made and recycled, and analyzes ways to add value to aluminum from the perspective of circular economics, then proposes ways to popularize the standardization of automotive parts so as to improve the efficiency of aluminum recycling in the automotive industry.
Research on the construction and implementation path of college students' volunteer service projects - Take SZ College as an example
Authors: Zhang Jin
Published: January 2023

College students' voluntary service is an important part of social public service, and also an important manifestation of college students' social practice. Business vocational schools play a key role in practicing morality and cultivating people, and guiding college students to practice voluntary service. College students' voluntary service has a diversified and objective function of ideological and political education. However, due to cognitive deviation, lax management and imperfect system, there are still many loopholes in college students' voluntary service in playing its educational function. The ideological guidance and behavior guidance for college students need to be improved. Therefore, on the basis of clarifying the ideological and political education function of college students' volunteer service, and based on the problems existing in the current education function, we should promote the innovation and development of college students' volunteer ideological and political education from all aspects, such as deepening rational cognition, strengthening education publicity, improving management system, and improving security mechanism, so as to better attract college students to participate in volunteer service.
A Study on the Main Income Affecting the Distribution of Pension Income in China: A Case Study of Beijing
Authors: Zheng Silin
Published: January 2023

In the past few years, a large number of laborers in China have withdrawn from the market, resulting in a slowing down in the growth rate of the current economy as well as the total economic volume. In this context, the total scale of pension income distribution will therefore enter a state of slow growth even if the level of pension income distribution has improved. In the long run, a “contradictory” phenomenon will inevitably appear between the slow growth of pension income distribution and the rapid growth of pension demand, that is, the level of pension income distribution will not be able to meet pension needs. Accordingly, this paper aims to identify the main factors that affect the level of pension income in China, and to discuss how to optimize the level of pension income. Results show that the growth rate of the dependency ratio of the elderly has been in negative numbers for a long time, which indicates a shortage of available labor in China, and on the other hand, it reflects the stabilization and deepening of China’s aging. What is more, there is a causal relationship between the growth rate of residents’ disposable income and the growth rate of the dependency ratio of the elderly and the growth rate of China’s pension fund expenditure. In addition, the impact of local fiscal revenue on pension fund expenditure is not significant, so there is no explanatory significance for this work.
Controlling Shareholders’ Equity Pledge, Financing Constraints and Corporate R&D Investment
Authors: Guo Li , Xu Ping
Published: January 2023

In recent years, equity pledge has gradually become an emerging financing method for enterprises to solve financing difficulties, which has attracted the attention of many shareholders and financial institutions. As an important driving force for enterprises to carry out economic transformation and upgrading, innovation can also effectively enhance their core competitiveness in the same industry. This paper selects the data of China’s A-share ChiNext listed companies from 2013 to 2021 as the analysis object, and studies the impact of equity pledge and corporate R&D investment and the intermediary role played by financing constraints, and the results show that the equity pledge of controlling shareholders is significantly negatively correlated with corporate R&D investment, and the inhibition effect is more obvious with the increase of equity pledge ratio. In addition, this paper finds that financing constraints play a partial intermediary role in the relationship between controlling shareholders’ equity pledge and enterprise innovation. In response to this situation, this paper puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions.
Analysis of the Causes of China’s Real Estate Bubble
Authors: Wang Lingyi
Published: January 2023

The real estate bubble has always been the concern of the government and scholars. Especially at the time when the COVID-19 problem is serious and the economy continues to be depressed, our research on the real estate bubble is of great significance. Based on the definition of real estate bubble by different scholars, the analysis of past real estate bubble cases, and the existing literature review, this paper analyzes the current bubble’s situation of China’s real estate, which has become a really serious years ago, and summarizes the possible causes of real estate bubble such as excess liquidity, the overheating economy some sort of bureaucracy problem and so on. Finally, this paper briefly describes the causes of Japan’s financial crisis in the 1990s as well as the government’s solutions, then analyze how China will deal with the real estate bubble at this stage and give out some possible options like methods through inflation legislation or speculation etc.
Research on Enterprise Value Evaluation Based on EVA Model Taking Three Squirrels Inc. as an Example
Authors: Zhou Chuyi
Published: January 2023

With the rapid development of e-commerce, all industries in China have joined the army of e-commerce, and the food industry is no exception. E-commerce in the food industry can effectively broaden food sales channels, and the industry has great potential for development. As a food e-commerce company with the highest sales scale in China, Three Squirrels has a good representation in the food e-commerce industry. Therefore, selecting it as a case study for enterprise value evaluation is of reference significance for investors and managers to comprehensively and accurately assess the value of food e-commerce enterprises. This paper takes Three Squirrels Co., Ltd. as an example to explore the application of EVA model in food e-commerce enterprises and verify its applicability in the valuation of e-commerce enterprises.
Tesla’s Strategies to Achieve Positive Growth for Production and Sales During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Zhou Yushang
Published: January 2023

During the COVID-19 epidemic, many industries were hit hard by the impact of the epidemic. The outbreak first led to factory shutdowns, with virtually all factories worldwide except for China now closed and at least 120 automotive plants temporarily closed. Global car sales have also plummeted in the midst of the epidemic storm with people mostly shutting their doors. Yet, under these circumstances, Tesla Motors has achieved an increase in production and sales. The study found that Tesla’s decisions on product manufacturing, supply chain and marketing strategies were the main strengths of its rapid growth.
Research on taxation policies for agricultural development under the rural revitalization strategy
Authors: Ren Jingmei , Sun Qianning , Cai Zhuo , Zhang Wenbo
Published: January 2023

The rural revitalization strategy is a major policy decision and plan for comprehensively building a modern socialist country in light of China's special national conditions. In recent years, with the continuous implementation and promotion of various policies such as urbanisation and new rural construction, the transformation and upgrading of agriculture has become one of the key constraints to the construction of a modern and powerful country in China. Therefore, in order to better implement the relevant policies on agricultural finance and taxation and to give full play to the positive role of agricultural finance and taxation policies in promoting the rural revitalisation strategy, this paper analyses the current situation of agricultural finance and taxation in the rural revitalisation strategy and puts forward suggestions on the policies related to finance and taxation to promote agricultural development in the rural revitalisation, so as to lay the foundation for the continuous promotion of the rural revitalisation strategy. This paper will lay the foundation for the sustainable promotion of the rural revitalization strategy.
Research on the Optimization of Network Public Opinion Collaborative Governance System in the Era of Big Data
Authors: Wang Rong
Published: January 2023

With the rapid development of information technology and the continuous improvement of citizens’ online participation, the rapid dissemination of public opinion through new media platforms has led to frequent incidents of online public opinion. The governance of network public opinion is difficult to achieve the desired effect only by relying on the power of the government, and the coordinated governance of network public opinion can become a realistic path to break the situation. This paper is based on the practical dilemma faced by network public opinion governance in the era of big data: big data information collection and processing are independent; The governance subjects are complex, and the rights and responsibilities between the management entities are not clear; Insufficient motivation to participate among governance subjects; Issues such as insufficient legalization of public opinion governance, and proposing to establish a government-led network public opinion data management optimization system; Improve the collaborative governance mechanism of multiple subjects of network public opinion; Implement the construction of network public opinion common interests and value system; Adhere to suggestions such as legalized collaborative governance of network public opinion to optimize the collaborative governance system of network public opinion.