bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression and Localization of the Serine Proteases High-Temperature Requirement Factor A1, Serine Protease 23, and Serine Protease 35 in the Mouse Ovary
Authors: Wahlberg Patrik , Nylander Åsa , Ahlskog Nina , Liu Kui , Ny Tor
Published: June 2008

Proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix components has been suggested to play an essential role in the occurrence of ovulation. Recent studies in our laboratory have indicated that the plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinase systems, which were previously believed to be crucial for ovulation, are not required in this process. In this study we have used a microarray approach to identify new proteases that are involved in ovulation. We found three serine proteases that were relatively highly expressed during ovulation: high-temperature requirement factor A1 (HtrA1), which was not regulated much during ovulation; serine protease 23 (PRSS23), which was down-regulated by gonadotropins; and serine protease 35 (PRSS35), which was up-regulated by gonadotropins. We have further investigated the expression patterns of these proteases during gonadotropin-induced ovulation in immature mice and in the corpus luteum (CL) of pseudopregnant mice. We found that HtrA1 was highly expressed in granulosa cells throughout follicular development and ovulation, as well as in the forming and regressing CL. PRSS23 was highly expressed in atretic follicles, and it was expressed in the ovarian stroma and theca tissues just before ovulation. PRSS35 was expressed in the theca layers of developing follicles. It was also highly induced in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. PRSS35 was also expressed in the forming and regressing CL. These data suggest that HtrA1 and PRSS35 may be involved in ovulation and CL formation and regression, and that PRSS23 may play a role in follicular atresia.
Alterations in RFamide-Related Peptide Expression Are Coordinated with the Preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone Surge
Authors: Gibson Erin M. , Humber Stephanie A. , Jain Sachi , Williams Wilbur P. , Zhao Sheng , Bentley George E. , Tsutsui Kazuyoshi , Kriegsfeld Lance J.
Published: June 2008

The preovulatory LH surge is triggered when the circadian pacemaker, the bilateral suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), stimulates the GnRH system in the presence of high estrogen concentrations (positive feedback). Importantly, during the remainder of the estrous cycle, estradiol inhibits LH release via negative feedback. We have recently documented the presence of a novel mammalian RFamide-related peptide (RFRP), a putative gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), that presumably acts upstream of GnRH to modulate the negative feedback effects of estrogen. The present series of studies used female Syrian hamsters to examine the possibility that, in addition to driving the LH surge positively, the SCN concomitantly coordinates the removal of steroid-mediated RFRP inhibition of the gonadotropic axis to permit the surge. We found that the SCN forms close appositions with RFRP cells, suggesting the possibility for direct temporal control of RFRP activity. During the time of the LH surge, immediate-early gene expression is reduced in RFRP cells, and this temporal regulation is estrogen dependent. To determine whether projections from the SCN regulate the timed reduction in activation of the RFRP system, we exploited the phenomenon of splitting. In split animals in which the SCN are active in antiphase, activation of the RFRP system is asymmetrical. Importantly, this asymmetry is opposite to the state of the GnRH system. Together, these findings point to novel circadian control of the RFRP system and potential participation in the circuitry controlling ovulatory function.
Multiple-marker screening for Down's syndrome: a method of assessing the statistical robustness of proposed tests
Authors: Morris J K , Bestwick J , Wald N J
Published: June 2008

Objectives

Antenatal screening for Down's syndrome relies on the use of multiple markers in combination. Markers that are highly correlated can cause statistical instability. We used the maximum variance inflation factor (VIFmax) to determine whether a screening test using multiple markers was robust to imprecision in the estimation of the marker distribution parameters.

Methods

The VIFmax for a specified screening test was calculated from the correlations between markers in Down's syndrome pregnancies for six tests: integrated and serum integrated tests without repeat measurements, both tests with repeat measurements across trimesters analysed in the standard way, and both tests with repeat measurements analysed as cross-trimester (CT) marker ratios. The screening performance of each test using published parameter values, in terms of the false-negative rates for a 3% false-positive rate (FN3), were calculated for simulated populations with medians 0.2 standard deviations (SD) higher or lower than the published values (to reflect imprecision in parameter estimation) for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and unconjugated oestriol in affected pregnancies. For each test, the VIFmax value was compared with the coefficient of variation of the FN3 (FN3 CV). An independent set of 27 Down's syndrome pregnancies was used to determine how many had meaningless low risks (<1 in 10,000) with each test.

Results

Tests with VIFmax values greater than 5 had FN3CV values over 50%, but those with VIFmax values less than 5 had FN3 CV values less than 21%. The numbers of Down's syndrome pregnancies with meaningless low risk estimates in the independent set were 18 (64%) in tests with VIFmax values ≥5 and none for those with values <5.

Conclusion

VIFmax values of 5 or more suggest instability. The tests using CT marker ratios were stable (VIFmax < 3), but the tests using repeat measurements in the standard manner were not (VIFmax > 5).
Conifers have a unique small RNA silencing signature
Authors: Dolgosheina Elena V. , Morin Ryan D. , Aksay Gozde , Sahinalp S. Cenk , Magrini Vincent , Mardis Elaine R. , Mattsson Jim , Unrau Peter J.
Published: June 2008

Plants produce small RNAs to negatively regulate genes, viral nucleic acids, and repetitive elements at either the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level in a process that is referred to as RNA silencing. While RNA silencing has been extensively studied across the different phyla of the animal kingdom (e.g., mouse, fly, worm), similar studies in the plant kingdom have focused primarily on angiosperms, thus limiting evolutionary studies of RNA silencing in plants. Here we report on an unexpected phylogenetic difference in the size distribution of small RNAs among the vascular plants. By extracting total RNA from freshly growing shoot tissue, we conducted a survey of small RNAs in 24 vascular plant species. We find that conifers, which radiated from the other seed-bearing plants ∼260 million years ago, fail to produce significant amounts of 24-nucleotide (nt) RNAs that are known to guide DNA methylation and heterochromatin formation in angiosperms. Instead, they synthesize a diverse population of small RNAs that are exactly 21-nt long. This finding was confirmed by high-throughput sequencing of the small RNA sequences from a conifer, Pinus contorta. A conifer EST search revealed the presence of a novel Dicer-like (DCL) family, which may be responsible for the observed change in small RNA expression. No evidence for DCL3, an enzyme that matures 24-nt RNAs in angiosperms, was found. We hypothesize that the diverse class of 21-nt RNAs found in conifers may help to maintain organization of their unusually large genomes.
Online Auction Demand
Authors: Yao Song , Mela Carl F.
Published: June 2008

With $40 billion in annual gross merchandise volume, electronic auctions comprise a substantial and growing sector of the retail economy. Using unique data on Celtic coins, we estimate a structural model of buyer and seller behavior via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) with data augmentation. Results indicate that buyer valuations are affected by item, seller, and auction characteristics; buyer costs are affected by bidding behavior; and seller costs are affected by item characteristics and the number of listings. The model enables us to compute fee elasticities even though there is no variation in fees in our data. We find that commission elasticities exceed per item fee elasticities because they target high-value sellers and enhance their likelihood of listing. By targeting commission reductions to high-value sellers, auction house revenues can be increased by 3.9%. Computing customer value, we find that attrition of the largest seller would decrease fees paid to the auction house by $97. Given the seller paid $127 in fees, competitive effects offset only 24% of those fees. In contrast, competition offsets 81% of the buyer attrition effect. In both events, the auction house would overvalue its customers by neglecting competitive effects.
Metabolic consequences of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A deficiency in mice: exploring possible relationship to the longevity phenotype
Authors: Conover Cheryl A , Mason Megan A , Levine James A , Novak Colleen M
Published: June 2008

Mice born with the deletion of the gene for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), a model of reduced local IGF activity, live ∼30% longer than their wild-type (WT) littermates. In this study, we investigated metabolic consequences of PAPP-A gene deletion and possible relationship to lifespan extension. Specifically, we determined whether 18-month-old PAPP-A knockout (KO) mice when compared with their WT littermates have reduced energy expenditure and/or altered glucose–insulin sensitivity. Food intake, and total energy expenditure and resting energy expenditure as measured by calorimetry were not different between PAPP-A KO and WT mice when subjected to the analysis of covariance with body weight as the covariate. However, there was an increase in spontaneous physical activity in PAPP-A KO mice. Both WT and PAPP-A KO mice exhibited mild insulin resistance with age, as assessed by fasting glucose/insulin ratios. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were not significantly different between the two groups of mice, although there appeared to be a decrease in the average size of the pancreatic islets in PAPP-A KO mice. Thus, neither reduced ‘rate of living’ nor altered glucose–insulin homeostasis can be considered key determinants of the enhanced longevity of PAPP-A KO mice. These findings are discussed in the context of those from other long-lived mouse models.
Quantifying Soil Structure and Preferential Flow in Intact Soil Using X‐ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Luo Lifang , Lin Henry , Halleck Phil
Published: June 2008

Computed tomography (CT) provides a nondestructive means of observing soil structure and monitoring solute breakthrough in real time. We investigated an intact soil column 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length using industrial CT with a resolution of 105.5 by 105.5 by 125.25 μm. The satiated soil column was scanned to obtain overall soil structure. Then 60 g L−1KI solution was injected at 6.6 mL min−1for about 23 h and solute transport was monitored in real time by scanning two critical positions in the column and taking digital radiographs. At the end of the experiment, the whole column was scanned again to obtain the overall solute mass distribution. The voxel‐based soil porosity and solute concentration were quantified. The three‐dimensional visualization of the pore network and solute distribution with time showed that both the pore network and the flow pattern varied considerably with soil depth, in part due to the soil horizonation and different macropores involved. Although the macroporosity below the Ap1 horizon was much lower, macropores were more continuous and less tortuous as a result of limited agricultural disturbance and more earthworm activities. Only part of the macropores at the subsurface were effective, however, in transporting the solute. The results revealed a sequential initialization of the transport process from the macropore domain to the matrix domain and a decreased degree of interaction between the two domains with soil depth. Point‐specific breakthrough curves were obtained from real‐time point‐specific solute concentration and porosity, from which point‐specific pore velocity was determined. Preferential flow pathways in this intact structured soil consist of a complex network of earthworm burrows, root channels, interaggregate macropores, and mesopores or even micropores in the soil matrix. Modeling of this flow network and its dynamics requires a new approach different from the classical continuous‐domain approach.
Soil Nitrogen and Phosphorus Availability for Field‐Applied Slurry from Swine Fed Traditional and Low‐Phytate Corn
Authors: Paschold J. S. , Wienhold B. J. , Ferguson R. B. , McCallister D. L.
Published: June 2008

Swine (Sus scrofa) slurry contains nutrients essential for crop production but usually contains more P relative to N than is required by most crops, creating the potential for negative environmental impacts. Diet modifications such as low‐phytate corn (Zea maysL.) have resulted in improved bioavailability of P and reduced manure P content. A field study was conducted to compare in situ availability of N and P at two sites. One site received three annual additions of manure from swine fed low‐phytate corn or traditional corn diets or inorganic fertilizer, surface applied to rainfed no‐till sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench]. A second site received a one‐time application and incorporation of the same nutrient treatments to irrigated corn. Nutrient treatments were applied at rates intended to meet crop N needs. At both sites, an in situ soil core resin bag technique was used to determine available N and P during the growing season. Potentially mineralizable N was 70% of applied N and extractable P was 100% of applied P for manure from both diets. Incorporation of swine slurry reduced potentially mineralizable N to 40% the year of application and 30% the year after application and reduced extractable P to 60% the year of application and 40% the year after application for both diets. Modified diets reduced the P content of the manure but not the availability of N or P.
In Situ Monitoring of Soil Thermal Properties and Heat Flux during Freezing and Thawing
Authors: Ochsner Tyson E. , Baker John M.
Published: June 2008

When soil freezes or thaws, latent heat fluxes occur and conventional methods for monitoring soil heat flux are inaccurate, often wildly so. This prevents the forcing of surface energy balance closure that is used in Bowen ratio flux measurements and the assessment of closure that is used as a check on the accuracy of eddy covariance measurements. We hypothesized that heat pulse sensors could be used to obtain accurate measurements of apparent thermal conductivity (λa) and apparent volumetric heat capacity (Ca), which, together with soil temperature data, would permit accurate monitoring of soil heat flux under freezing and thawing conditions. Wintertime apparent thermal properties were monitored in situ using heat pulse sensors and independently predicted using a theoretical model. The measurements and the model both showed that for temperatures between −5 and 0°C, λa and Ca were strongly temperature dependent, varying more than two orders of magnitude. This temperature dependence is primarily the result of latent heat transfer processes. Good agreement existed between the measured and modeled thermal properties, with mean absolute differences of 20% for Ca and 37% for λa Measured and modeled soil heat flux during spring thaw and snowmelt were similar, with cumulative totals differing by only 6% during a 7‐d period. During that same period, we measured a latent heat flux into the soil of 7.9 MJ m−2, a sizeable heat flux completely undetectable by previous methods. The results of this study support our hypothesis and indicate that this method may be useful in wintertime surface energy balance studies.
Evaluation of EPS Application in Microbial Consortia Growing in Aqueous Co-Contaminated Systems: The Trend to Natural Attenuation
Authors: Martins P.S.O. , Almeida N.F. , Costa R.G.S. , Franco A.P. , Vieira M.F. , Melachus J.M.M. , Santos L.G. , Alves F. , Vieira C.R. , Cunha C.D. , Leite S.G.F.
Published: June 2008

The needing of a bacterial extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) application in bioremediation of an aqueous
system containing glucose and/or gasoline and/or heavy metals (Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+) by two different microbial consortia
was studied. At the low concentrations (1.00 ppm of each metal), it was observed an inhibitory effect on the metabolism
of the “consortium 1”, as well as the application of EPS has improved the cellular growing in media containing glucose
and/or gasoline as carbon sources, indicating that using this substance decreases the negative effect caused by the presence
of heavy metals. In the other hand, the application of small concentrations of EPS was evaluated, and results show that a
little increase in this substance concentration leads to an improvement of 39 % in cellular growing of the “consortium 2”,
indicating the potential use of the EPS in a system with gasoline and metals. Once many microorganisms can produce this
kind of substance during cultivation, our results show that a system with low concentrations of hydrocarbons and metals
could be susceptible to natural attenuation, without human intervention in the environment, especially if the process is
conducted in a larger period of time.
Visualizing Pharmacological Activities of Antidepressants: A Novel Approach
Authors: Derijks Hieronymus J. , Heerdink Eibert R. , Janknegt Rob , Koning Fred H.P. De , Olivier Berend , Loonen Anton J.M. , Egberts Antoine C.G.
Published: June 2008

Antidepressants have different receptor binding profiles, which are related to therapeutic action and adverse
drug reactions. We constructed a model to classify antidepressants on the basis of their binding properties of most common
transporter- and receptor sites. Receptor binding was quantified by calculating receptor occupancy for the 5-HT
(serotonin) reuptake transporter, norepinephrinic reuptake transporter, 5-HT2C-receptor, M3-receptor, H1-receptor and 􀀁1-
receptor. To identify groups of antidepressants that show similar patterns of receptor occupancy for different receptors,
hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principle component analysis (PCA) were used. In addition, to visualize
(a)symmetry between binding profiles of antidepressants, radar plots were constructed. On the basis of both analyses, four
clusters of antidepressants which exert similar pharmacological properties were identified. Potentially, this model could
be a helpful tool in medical practice and may be used as a prediction model for adverse effects of drugs entering the market.
Comparison of stress hyperglycemia ratio and glycemic gap on acute ICH in‐hospital outcomes
Authors: Zhang Jia , Zhang Qian , Gu Hongqiu , Zhou Qi , Li Zixiao , Zhao Xingquan
Published: April 2024

Objective

To compare the effect of different indicators on stress‐induced hyperglycemia for predicting in‐hospital outcomes of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods

Using data from the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance database, which is a national, multicenter, prospective, and consecutive program. Stress‐induced hyperglycemia was described as glycemic gap (GG, defined as fasting blood glucose [FBG] minus estimated average blood glucose) and stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR, defined as FBG‐to‐estimated average blood glucose ratio [SHR 1] or FBG‐to‐HbA1c ratio [SHR 2]). The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality, and the second outcome was hematoma expansion.

Results

A total of 71,333 patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage were included. In multivariate analyses, the highest levels of GG (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.12–2.51), SHR 1 (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.15–2.60), and SHR 2 (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.33–3.23) were associated with in‐hospital death (all the p trends <0.01). Only the highest level of SHR 2 (OR 1.24 [1.02–1.51], p trend >0.05) was related to hematoma expansion. No association between GG or SHR 1 and hematoma expansion was observed. The areas under the ROC curve of GG, SHR 1, and SHR 2 for in‐hospital mortality were 0.8808 (95% CI 0.8603–0.9014), 0.8796 (95% CI 0.8589–0.9002), and 0.8806 (95% CI 0.8600–0.9012). The areas under the ROC curve of SHR 2 for hematoma expansion were 0.7133 (95% CI 0.6964–0.7302).

Interpretation

SHR (FBG‐to‐HbA1c ratio) was associated with both in‐hospital death and hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage, and might serve as an accessory indicator for the in‐hospital prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage.
Serum CCL24 as a Biomarker of Fibrotic and Vascular Disease Severity in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: De Lorenzis Enrico , Mor Adi , Ross Rebecca L. , Di Donato Stefano , Aricha Revital , Vaknin Ilan , Del Galdo Francesco
Published: April 2024

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous disease, characterized by variable tissue and vascular fibrosis in the context of autoimmune activation. CCL24 (or Eotaxin2) has been shown to promote microangiopathic, proinflammatory, and profibrotic processes in preclinical models of SSc. Here, we study serum CCL24 levels in a real‐life cohort of patients with SSc, to determine its distribution across disease features and its value in predicting disease progression and related mortality.

Methods

Serum CCL24 was assessed in an observational cohort of consecutively enrolled patients with SSc. A high CCL24 cutoff was defined based on its distribution in a matched cohort of healthy controls. Disease progression and mortality were analyzed from the date of serum assessment.

Results

Two‐hundred thirteen consecutively enrolled patients with SSc were included in this analysis. Median disease duration was six years (interquartile range 3–14), 28.6% of patients presented with interstitial lung disease (ILD), 46.9% had digital ulcers, and 25.3% showed high CCL24 serum concentration. High‐CCL24 patients were more frequently male and positive for anti–scl‐70, with a diagnosis of ILD and synovitis (P < 0.05 for all). Notably, high‐CCL24 patients had lower diffusion of carbon monoxide and higher prevalence of digital ulcers, telangiectasias, and calcinosis (P < 0.05 for all). In a longitudinal setting, high CCL24 was associated with greater lung function decline and with higher disease‐related mortality.

Conclusion

Serum CCL24 is a biomarker of disease severity across fibrotic and vascular disease manifestations. These data support the development of therapies targeting CCL24 as a novel comprehensive therapeutic target in SSc.
Demystifying the Semiconductor‐to‐Metal Transition in Amorphous Vanadium Pentoxide: The Role of Substrate/Thin Film Interfaces
Authors: Esther A. Carmel Mary , Muralikrishna G. Mohan , Chirumamilla Manohar , Pinto Manoel da Silva , Ostendorp Stefan , Peterlechner Martin , Yu Petrov Alexander , Eich Manfred , Divinski Sergiy V. , Hahn Horst , Wilde Gerhard
Published: April 2024

The precise mechanism governing the reversible semiconductor‐to‐metal transition (SMT) in V2O5 remains elusive, yet its investigation is of paramount importance due to the remarkable potential of V2O5 as a versatile “smart” material in advancing optoelectronics, plasmonics, and photonics. In this study, distinctive experimental insights into the SMT occurring in amorphous V2O5 through the application of highly sensitive, temperature‐dependent, in situ analyses on a V2O5 thin film deposited on soda‐lime glass are presented. The ellipsometry measurements reveal that the complete SMT occurs at ≈340 °C. Remarkably, the refractive index and extinction coefficients exhibit reversible characteristics across visible and near‐infrared wavelengths, underscoring the switch‐like behavior inherent to V2O5. The findings obtained from ellipsometry are substantiated by calorimetry and in situ secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses. In situ electron microscopy observations unveil a separation of oxidation states within V2O5 at 320 °C, despite the thin film retaining its amorphous state. The comprehensive experimental investigations effectively demonstrate that alterations in electronic state can trigger the SMT in amorphous V2O5. It is revealed for the first time that the SMT in V2O5 is solely contingent upon electronic state changes, independent of structural transitions, and importantly, it is a reversible transformation within the amorphous state itself.
An Active and Stable Cobalt‐Free Ruddlesden–Popper Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni1‐xFexO4±δ Air Electrode for Reversible Proton‐Conducting Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Chen Ting , Zhang Guangjun , Liu Kui , Wang Chenxiao , Zheng Guozhu , Huang Zuzhi , Sun Ning , Xu Lang , Zhou Juan , Zhou Yucun , Wang Shaorong
Published: April 2024

Reversible proton‐conducting solid oxide cells (R‐PSOCs) are considered to be one of the most promising devices for efficient power generation and hydrogen production. However, the requirement of high catalytic activity for fast oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) and durability under high steam concentration of air electrode materials remains the major challenge for the practical application of R‐PSOCs. Here, a series of cobalt‐free Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite of Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni1‐xFexO4±δ are reported with mixed conductivity for enhanced ORR/OER kinetics. The R‐PSOCs with an optimal Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni0.7Fe0.3O4±δ air electrode show a high peak power density of 1.28 W cm−2 in the fuel cell mode and a promising current density of 3.24 A cm−2 at 1.3 V in the electrolysis cell mode at 700 °C. In addition, the R‐PSOCs show favorable stability under the fuel cell, electrolysis, and reversible modes for hundreds of hours. This work demonstrates that the Ruddlesden–Popper materials can be utilized as suitable air electrodes for R‐PSOCs.
Field‐Free Switching of Perpendicular Magnetization by Anisotropic Spin Hall Effect in Mn3Ir
Authors: Pu Yuchen , Shi Guoyi , Yang Qu , Yang Dongsheng , Wang Fei , Zhang Chenhui , Yang Hyunsoo
Published: April 2024

Manipulation of the magnetization by spin‐orbit torque (SOT) stands as a crucial advancement in spintronics due to its merits in energy‐efficient and high‐speed operation. However, the conventional SOT devices involving a heavy metal/ferromagnet cannot deterministically switch the perpendicularly magnetized ferromagnet without an external magnetic field, which hinders its practical implementation. Here, room temperature field‐free switching for perpendicularly magnetized ferromagnets is demonstrated using spin currents with the out‐of‐plane spin polarization induced by noncollinear antiferromagnets L12‐Mn3Ir. Both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane spin polarizations are observed, and the tilting angle of the spin polarization is estimated to be ≈10°. The spin Hall conductivity of out‐of‐plane spin is 1.43 × 104 ћ/2e·Ω−1m−1, which is the largest among several 2D and antiferromagnetic materials, including WTe2, RuO2, and Mn3GaN. Furthermore, field‐free SOT switching is demonstrated with an ns‐current pulse, and the current density is comparable with the reported values of the field‐assisted pulse switching. This work paves the way for employing noncollinear antiferromagnets for wafer‐scale spintronic device applications.
Highly Transparent and Long‐Term Stable Dielectric Elastomer Composites Enabled by Poly(ionic liquid) Inclusion
Authors: Zhang Changgeng , Bao Qihan , Zhu He , Zhang Qi
Published: April 2024

The demand for high‐performance flexible electronic devices has propelled research toward dielectric elastomer composites that exhibit excellent stretchability, high dielectric constant, exceptional transparency, and enduring stability. Compositing with soft fillers is an emerging method that can increase the dielectric constant of the materials while retaining good flexibility. However, liquid metals inclusion results in opaque composites while liquid electrolytes inclusion brings issues with long‐term stability. In this study, compositing polymeric ionic liquids with elastomeric matrix is proposed to address these requisites. Benefiting from adjustable refractive index, high ionic conductivity, softness, and excellent stability, the prepared dielectric elastomer composites exhibit remarkable transparency, excellent elasticity, and increased dielectric constants. Notably, the composites demonstrate resilience to high temperatures up to 250 °C without compromising dielectric or mechanical properties. Furthermore, the composites retain all properties after prolonged exposure at 80 °C for 6 months, highlighting the potential for sustained performance in real‐world applications. Utilizing the exceptional characteristics of polymeric ionic liquid including dielectric elastomers, strain sensors, and alternating current electroluminescence devices are demonstrated, which also presents excellent stability over prolonged use, emphasizing the reliability and long‐term stability of the composites, and showcasing potentials for multifaceted applications in flexible electronics.
3D Ternary Alloy Artificial Interphase Toward Ultra‐Stable and Dendrite‐Free Aqueous Zinc Batteries
Authors: Xin Yan , Qi Jiayao , Xie Huanhuan , Ge Yunnian , Wang Zerui , Zhang Fang , He Bijiao , Wang Shuwei , Tian Huajun
Published: April 2024

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are one of the most promising post‐lithium battery technologies due to their low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, their practical development is hindered by the issues of Zn metal anodes, including dendrite growth, passivation, hydrogen evolution and other side reactions. Herein, to circumvent these issues, a facile and universal alloy electrodeposition strategy is proposed to construct a 3D structured ternary Zn alloy artificial interphase layer on Zn foil as an anode for high‐performance AZIBs. The density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations, in situ optical visualization and spectroscopic results validate that the zincophilic Zn─Sn─Bi@Zn ternary alloy anode with lower migration energy barrier and weak hydrogen adsorption sites can promote the uniform Zn deposition and suppress hydrogen evolution reactions. The Zn─Sn─Bi@Zn//NH4V4O10 full cell demonstrates a high specific capacity 110.4 mAh g−1 even after 10 000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1. Notably, the full cell with a high NH4V4O10 cathode loading mass of ≈20.0 mg cm−2 maintains cyclic stability for 400 cycles. This work proposes an innovative Zn‐based ternary alloy anode methodology as a design strategy for advanced AZIBs and beyond.
Harvesting Hot Excitons for High‐Efficiency OLEDs with Extremely Low‐Efficiency Roll‐Off via Utilizing the Cascade Exciton Energy Transfer from Host and Sensitizer to Emitter
Authors: Wang Huiyao , Chen Jing , Yang Song , Lu Hong , Wei Fuxian , Wu Yuting , Zhao Xi , Cheng Lihong , Li Zuo , Yi Yingfei , Yu Tian , Zhang Sijie , Zhu Hongqiang , Chen Xiaoli , Xiong Zuhong
Published: April 2024

Although high‐efficiency host‐sensitizer‐TBRb‐based organic light‐emitting diodes (HST‐OLEDs) are widely reported, the reasons for their high performances are still vague because the important role of hot exciton in TBRb emitter (T2, TBRb) has not been recognized previously. Herein, a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 24.9% is obtained from a HST‐OLED by co‐doping the Ir(ppy)3 sensitizer and TBRb emitter into the CBP host. Such a remarkable efficiency is mainly attributed to the efficient utilization of the T2, TBRb via the cascade Dexter energy transfer (DET) channels from triplet excitons of host and sensitizer to T2, TBRb (T1, CBP
T1, Ir(ppy)3
T2, TBRb) followed by the hot‐exciton reverse intersystem crossing (RISC, T2, TBRb
S1, TBRb) and triplet fusion (TF, T2, TBRb + T2, TBRb Sm, TBRb S1, TBRb) processes for radiative decays. These cascade DET channels are demonstrated by spectroscopic analyses and magneto‐electroluminescence studies. More importantly, this HST‐OLED presents an extremely low‐efficiency roll‐off, that is, the EQEs separately exhibit 24.34% and 19.73% at 1000 and 10 000 cd m−2 compared to the maximum EQE of 24.9%. Obviously, this work paves a promising pathway for fabricating further high‐efficiency HST‐OLEDs for applications in illumination and flat‐panel display.
Regulation of Ni/Co Ratio and Gas Transport in High‐Order Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskite Air Electrodes for Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Xia Jiaojiao , Zhou Mingyang , Gao Hui , He Fan , Du Zhiwei , Chen Yu
Published: April 2024

The delicate design of efficient air electrodes is conducive to improving the reaction kinetics and operational durability of protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) at intermediate‐low temperatures. Here, a series of high‐order Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) perovskite electrodes are developed via the regulation of Ni/Co ratio and porosity for efficient charge/gas transfer. As verified by structural analysis and electrochemical characterizations, the electrode with a composition of Pr4Ni1.8Co1.2O10‐δ (PNCO64) shows the most matchable thermal expansion behavior with electrolytes, and highest electrical conductivity, and best catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction/evolution reactions. The Ni/Co ratio of 6:4 can induce the formation of an optimized amount of Pr6O11 in PNCO64, which is likely the pivotal source of the improved catalytic activity. When implemented on PCECs, the PNCO64 electrodes with the addition of 5% graphite pore‐former achieve a remarkable peak power density (1.18 W cm−2) and a high current density of 2.08 A cm−2 at 1.3 V at 600 °C. Excellent durability in fuel cell mode (≈85 h) and electrolysis mode (≈92 h) is also accomplished in PCECs at 600 °C.
A Mesoporous Silica‐Loaded Multi‐Functional Hydrogel Enhanced Tendon Healing via Immunomodulatory and Pro‐Regenerative Effects
Authors: Wan Renwen , Luo Zhiwen , Nie Xiaoshuang , Feng Xinting , He Yanwei , Li Fangqi , Liu Shan , Chen Wenbo , Qi Beijie , Qin Haocheng , Luo Wei , Zhang Hanli , Jiang Hongyi , Sun Junming , Liu Xuanyong , Wang Qing , Shang Xiliang , Qiu Jiajun , Chen Shiyi
Published: April 2024

Tendon injuries are pervasive orthopedic injuries encountered by the general population. Nonetheless, recovery after severe injuries, such as Achilles tendon injury, is limited. Consequently, there is a pressing need to devise interventions, including biomaterials, that foster tendon healing. Regrettably, tissue engineering treatments have faced obstacles in crafting appropriate tissue scaffolds and efficacious nanomedical approaches. To surmount these hurdles, an innovative injectable hydrogel (CP@SiO2), comprising puerarin and chitosan through in situ self‐assembly, is pioneered while concurrently delivering mesoporous silica nanoparticles for tendon healing. In this research, CP@SiO2hydrogel is employed for the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries, conducting extensive in vivo and in vitro experiments to evaluate its efficacy. This reults demonstrates that CP@SiO2hydrogel enhances the proliferation and differentiation of tendon‐derived stem cells, and mitigates inflammation through the modulation of macrophage polarization. Furthermore, using histological and behavioral analyses, it is found that CP@SiO2hydrogel can improve the histological and biomechanical properties of injured tendons. This findings indicate that this multifaceted injectable CP@SiO2hydrogel constitutes a suitable bioactive material for tendon repair and presents a promising new strategy for the clinical management of tendon injuries.
Enzymatic Mesoporous Metal Nanocavities for Concurrent Electrocatalysis of Nitrate to Ammonia Coupled with Polyethylene Terephthalate Upcycling
Authors: Sun Lizhi , Lv Hao , Xiao Jie , Liu Ben
Published: April 2024

Electrochemical upcycling of waste pollutants into high value‐added fuels and/or chemicals is recognized as a green and sustainable solution that can address the resource utilization on earth. Despite great efforts, their progress has seriously been hindered by the lack of high‐performance electrocatalysts. In this work, bimetallic PdCu mesoporous nanocavities (MCs) are reported as a new bifunctional enzymatic electrocatalyst that realizes concurrent electrocatalytic upcycling of nitrate wastewater and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste. Abundant metal mesopores and open nanocavities of PdCu MCs provide the enzymatic confinement of key intermediates for the deeper electroreduction of nitrate and accelerate the transport of reactants/products within/out of electrocatalyst, thus affording high ammonia Faradic efficiency (FENH3) of 96.6% and yield rate of 5.6 mg h−1 mg−1 at the cathode. Meanwhile, PdCu MC nanozymes trigger the selective electrooxidation of PET‐derived ethylene glycol (EG) into glycolic acid (GA) and formic acid with high FEs of >90% by a facile regulation of potentials at the anode. Moreover, concurrent electrosynthesis of value‐added NH3 and GA is disclosed in the two‐electrode coupling system, further confirming the high efficiency of bifunctional PdCu MC nanozymes in producing value‐added fuels and chemicals from waste pollutants in a sustainable manner.
Electrodeposited Silver Dendrites on Laser‐Induced Graphene for Electrochemical Detection of Nitrate with Tunable Sensor Properties
Authors: Adiraju Anurag , Jalasutram Aditya , Wang Junfei , Tegenkamp Christoph , Kanoun Olfa
Published: April 2024

Laser‐induced graphene (LIG) is a promising technology enabling cost‐effective, scalable, and high surface area 3D‐porous graphene electrodes for electrochemical applications. Nitrate in water bodies is a harmful contaminant to humans and the ecosystems. Its detection by electrochemical sensors is challenging due to the interference from nitrite. Herein, for the first time, a LIG‐based electrochemical sensor modified with electrodeposited silver dendrites (EdAg/LIG) without using surfactants is proposed for the detection of nitrate with tunable selectivity and sensitivity. The modified electrode surface is extensively characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods and the underlying mechanism for the formation of dendrites is substantiated. The developed EdAg dendrites/LIG electrode shows excellent sensing properties for the detection of nitrate at pH 2. The interference with nitrite in acidic media is eliminated by implementing a novel strategy to shift the working pH of the electrode to 7. The achieved sensor properties at both pH values surpass other LIG‐based sensors with limit of detection of 0.46 at pH 2 and 5.53 µm at pH 7. The developed sensor also shows good recovery characteristics in mineral, tap, and groundwater across a wide range of concentrations and also demonstrates good stability under temperature fluctuations and deformations.
Selective Detection of H2 Gas in Gas Mixtures Using NiO‐Shelled Pd‐Decorated ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Badie Clémence , Mirzaei Ali , Lee Jae‐Hyoung , Sayegh Syreina , Bechelany Mikhael , Santinacci Lionel , Kim Hyoun Woo , Kim Sang Sub
Published: April 2024

Hydrogen (H2) gas is a green fuel, but its leakage during storage and transportation can lead to disasters due to its explosive nature. Here, a sensitive and selective H2 gas sensor is developed that can detect H2 in H2/CO and H2/NO2 gas mixtures. First, ZnO nanowires (NWs) are grown using vapor–liquid–solid growth. This is followed by atomic layer deposition‐mediated growth of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on the ZnO NWs and uniform deposition of a thin NiO shell layer (12 nm in thickness) over the Pd‐decorated ZnO NWs. Characterization of the synthesized samples by different methods confirms the desired chemical composition, morphology, and phases. H2 gas sensing studies reveals the highly sensitive and selective response of the optimized gas sensor to H2 at 200 °C. In the presence of H2/CO and H2/NO2 gas mixtures, the NiO‐shelled Pd‐decorated ZnO NW sensor displays good selectivity for H2, but not the Pd‐decorated ZnO NW gas one. The NiO‐shelled Pd‐decorated ZnO NW gas sensor efficiently detected H2 also in the presence of 40% relative humidity and displays good stability even after 1 month. The present results can open the doors to the fabrication of highly selective H2 gas sensors using the described rationale design.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Magnetic 3D‐printed Microactuator
Authors: Rothermel Florian , Thiele Simon , Jung Chris , Krapf Anna , Ilse Sven Erik , Merle Benoit , Giessen Harald , Herkommer Alois M.
Published: April 2024

Conventional MEMS microactuators have, in recent years, been complemented by 3D‐printed actuatable microstructures fabricated via two‐Photon‐Polymerization (2PP). Herein, a novel compact 3D‐printed magnetically actuatable microactuator with a diameter of 500µm is demonstrated, originally designed for micro‐optical systems. It is fabricated by incorporating a composite of NdFeB microparticles and epoxy resin into a designated reservoir of the printed mechanical structure within a simple post‐processing step. The microactuator structure features mechanical springs, allowing for continuous positioning with large displacement. Mechanical studies by nanoindentation of IP‐S bulk structures reveal a viscoelastic material behavior, described by a two‐element General Kelvin‐Voigt viscoelasticity model. The obtained material parameters are then used to simulate and characterize the spring behavior of the microactuator. Actuation experiments are conducted using an external microcoil. The actuator displacement is measured for triangular current pulses with a peak current of 106 mA and durations of 1 to 100 s, resulting in displacements of 69.1 to 88.9 µm. Hysteretic behavior of the actuator is observed, attributable to viscoelasticity and magnetic properties of the core material. Numerical simulations of the experiment demonstrate this behavior as well. On‐the‐fly demagnetization and the implementation of closed‐loop control allow for both high repeatability and precise positioning.
Nearly Perfect Routing of Chiral Light by Plasmonic Grating on Slab Waveguide
Authors: Fradkin Ilia M. , Demenev Andrey A. , Kovalchuk Anatoly V. , Kulakovskii Vladimir D. , Antonov Vladimir N. , Dyakov Sergey A. , Gippius Nikolay A.
Published: April 2024

Grating couplers are widely used to couple waveguide modes with the far field. Their usefulness is determined not only by energy efficiency but also by additional supported functionality. In this paper, a plasmonic is demonstrated grating on a silicon nitride slab waveguide that couples both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) waveguide modes with circularly polarized light in the far field. Specifically, it is experimentally confirmed that circularly polarized light excites TE and TM modes propagating in opposite directions, and the direction is controlled by the handedness. The routing efficiency for normally incident light reaches up to 95%. The same structure operates in the outcoupling regime as well, demonstrating up to 97% degree of circular polarization, where the handedness is determined by the polarization and propagation direction of outcoupled modes. The results pave the way for the realization of polarization‐division multiplexers and demultiplexers, integrated circular polarization emitters, as well as detectors of the polarization state of the incident optical field.
Spontaneous Formation of 1D/3D Perovskite Heterojunctions for Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ji Ran , Zhang Zongbao , Deconinck Marielle , Hofstetter Yvonne J. , Shi Juanzi , Paulus Fabian , Raval Parth , Reddy G. N. Manjunatha , Vaynzof Yana
Published: April 2024

Interfacial modification is a key strategy for improving the performance of perovskite photovoltaic devices. While the modification of the top surface of the perovskite active layer is well established, engineering of the buried interface is highly challenging. Here, the spontaneous formation of a 1D/3D perovskite heterojunction at the buried interface of a perovskite active layer by incorporating choline acetate alongside the perovskite precursors is reported. Importantly, extensive spectroscopic and microscopic characterization and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments demonstrate the formation of phase‐pure 1D and 3D domains. The 1D/3D junction results in a suppression of the defect states and an improved energetic level alignment at the buried interface, leading to a maximum power conversion efficiency of >24% when incorporated in inverted architecture perovskite solar cells. This work introduces a versatile approach to the modification of the buried interface of the perovskite active layer.
Image‐based hybrid model incorporating initial spatial distribution for mesenchymal stem cell cultivation process design
Authors: Hirono Keita , Hayashi Yusuke , A. Udugama Isuru , Takemoto Yuto , Kato Ryuji , Kino‐oka Masahiro , Sugiyama Hirokazu
Published: April 2024

This work presents an image‐based hybrid model incorporating the initial spatial distribution for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cultivation process design. First, three levels of seeding bias in static MSC cultivation were experimentally investigated, and the resulting initial distribution was quantified using phase contrast microscopy image analysis. Second, the observed spatial heterogeneity was defined as a new parameter by calculating the standard deviation of the seeded cell number fraction among numerical 8 × 8 tiles on two‐dimensional plates. Third, the parameter was incorporated into kinetic models to consider spatial growth limitation. The model was then applied to simulate MSC cultivation processes with experimental data. Using dynamic and stochastic simulation outputs, feasible ranges of cell‐harvesting time could be determined to satisfy a given requirement for the minimum cell number and acceptable confluency level. The developed hybrid model could serve as a basis for quantitative decision‐making in the design of MSC cultivation processes.
High expression of SULF1 is associated with adverse prognosis in breast cancer brain metastasis
Authors: Li Yitong , Feng Tingting , Wang Qinghong , Wu Yue , Wang Jue , Zhang Wenlong , Kong Qi
Published: April 2024

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and in advanced stages, it often metastasizes to the brain. However, research on the biological mechanisms of breast cancer brain metastasis and potential therapeutic targets are limited.

Methods

Differential gene expression analysis (DEGs) for the datasets GSE43837 and GSE125989 from the GEO database was performed using online analysis tools such as GEO2R and Sangerbox. Further investigation related to SULF1 was conducted using online databases such as Kaplan–Meier Plotter and cBioPortal. Thus, expression levels, variations, associations with HER2, biological processes, and pathways involving SULF1 could be analyzed using UALCAN, cBioPortal, GEPIA2, and LinkedOmics databases. Moreover, the sensitivity of SULF1 to existing drugs was explored using drug databases such as RNAactDrug and CADSP.

Results

High expression of SULF1 was associated with poor prognosis in advanced breast cancer brain metastasis and was positively correlated with the expression of HER2. In the metastatic breast cancer population, SULF1 ranked top among the 16 DEGs with the highest mutation rate, reaching 11%, primarily due to amplification. KEGG and GSEA analyses revealed that the genes co‐expressed with SULF1 were positively enriched in the ‘ECM‐receptor interaction’ gene set and negatively enriched in the ‘Ribosome’ gene set. Currently, docetaxel and vinorelbine can act as treatment options if the expression of SULF1 is high.

Conclusions

This study, through bioinformatics analysis, unveiled SULF1 as a potential target for treating breast cancer brain metastasis (BM).