bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking Consumer Empowerment: New Directions for Sustainable Food Law in an Era of EU Discontent
Authors: Delhomme Vincent
Published: August 2024

EU food law is built on two paradigms – food safety and consumer choice. Consumers should have access to any food they like, provided that it is safe for consumption and that consumers are made aware of the products’ characteristics through adequate information. Growing emphasis on sustainability has not challenged these foundations. On the contrary, the law is intended as a tool to further empower consumers to make a healthy and environmentally responsible choice. However, it will be argued that this information centric approach is no longer a tenable position. The regulatory solutions characteristic of the consumer empowerment logic are of limited effectiveness and do not challenge the biggest obstacles to the sustainable transition of food systems – the commodification of food and the lack of regulation of the food environment. This contribution sketches out some far-reaching yet realistic food law reforms to genuinely address sustainability issues. Mindful of the special status of food and the growing discontent towards the EU and the green transition, this contribution also argues for some changes in the making and design of EU food law, leading towards greater involvement of citizens and local communities, and, ultimately, for truer empowerment of individuals.
Quality of legislation and compliance: a natural language processing approach
Authors: Osnabrügge Moritz , Vannoni Matia
Published: August 2024

Several disciplines, such as economics, law, and political science, emphasize the importance of legislative quality, namely well-written legislation. Low-quality legislation cannot be easily implemented because the texts create interpretation problems. To measure the quality of legal texts, we use information from the syntactic and lexical features of their language and apply these measures to a dataset of European Union legislation that contains detailed information on its transposition and decision-making process. We find that syntactic complexity and vagueness are negatively related to member states’ compliance with legislation. The finding on vagueness is robust to controlling for member states’ preferences, administrative resources, length of texts, and discretion. However, the results for syntactic complexity are less robust.
Resilience of DNA chains to molecular fracture after PCR heating cycles and implications on PCR reliability
Authors: Serpieri Roberto , Franchi Fabio
Published: August 2024

Soon after its introduction in 1987, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a technique widely employed in diagnostic medical devices and forensic science with the intention of amplifying genetic information. PCR prescribes that each of its cycles must include a heating subprocess at 95 °C or more (denominated DNA denaturation and provided for allowing a claimed orderly separation of the two complementary nucleotides strands), which can produce significant damage to DNA, caused by high-speed collisions with surrounding molecules. Since such disruption should be prevented in order to reliably employ PCR, a study of the mechanics of such loss of structural integrity is herein presented, preceded by a review of the fundamental literature which has elucidated the effects of molecular agitation on DNA fragmentation. The main conclusion of this retrospective survey is that the body of examined theoretical and experimental evidence consistently and redundantly confirms scarce resilience and significant loss of structural integrity when DNA is heated at temperatures above 90 °C, even for 1 minute. Such conclusion contradicts the claimed paradigm of PCR fidelity and raises the concern that, at least for long sequences, if PCR can amplify some information, such amplified information may be unreliable for diagnostic or forensic applications, since it originates from sequences of nucleotides subjected to random fragmentation and reaggregation. Such a low-reliability scenario should be preventively considered in the various fields where DNA amplification methodologies are employed which provide for high-temperature heating under conditions equal to or similar to those prescribed by the PCR protocols reviewed in this study.
XBTs Provide First‐Order Characterization of Seabed Physical Properties
Authors: Hornbach Matthew J. , Wood Warren T. , Lee Taylor R. , Phrampus Benjamin J. , Abelev Andrei , Herdic Peter C. , Woodford Emma , Griffith Samuel S. , Dohner Stephanie M. , Braithwaite Edward F.
Published: August 2024

Expendable Bathythermographs (XBTs) are oceanographic instruments that fall through the ocean's water column and measure ocean temperature with depth. In many instances, however, XBTs continue to record temperature after they impact the seabed. Here we show evidence that XBTs produce unique temperature responses when they impact the seabed that depend directly on seabed physical properties. Specifically, standard‐use XBTs (e.g., T‐4s and T‐5s), when deployed above a mud‐rich seabed, require significant time (tens of minutes) to equilibrate to steady‐state seafloor temperatures after seabed impact. In contrast, XBTs deployed above sand‐rich sediments equilibrate to seabed temperatures rapidly (<5 min) after seafloor impact. One explanation for this difference in temperature response is that XBTs deployed above mud‐rich sediment penetrate into low permeability marine muds that jacket the XBT, where diffusive heat flow dominates. Both observations and numerical modeling results support the hypothesis that XBTs impacting muddy seafloors exhibit slow, diffusion‐dominated heat flow, while XBTs impacting harder, sand‐rich seabed sites exhibit rapid seafloor temperature equilibration, consistent with advection‐driven heat flow and little if any XBT seabed penetration. Given that >644k XBT measurements exist publicly (via the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration website), and >74,000 XBTs record temperatures post seabed impact, we suggest that XBT data represents a large, low‐cost, and currently untapped data set for characterizing seabed physical properties globally.
Impacts of Topography‐Based Subgrid Scheme and Downscaling of Atmospheric Forcing on Modeling Land Surface Processes in the Conterminous US
Authors: Tesfa Teklu K. , Leung L. Ruby , Thornton Peter E. , Brunke Michael A. , Duan Zhuoran
Published: August 2024

The effects of small‐scale topography‐induced land surface heterogeneity are not well represented in current Earth System Models (ESMs). In this study, a new topography‐based subgrid structure referred to as topographic units (TGU) designed to better capture subgrid topographic effects, and methods to downscale atmospheric forcing to the land TGUs have been implemented in the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Land Model (ELM). Effects of the subgrid scheme and downscaling methods on ELM simulated land surface processes are evaluated over the conterminous United States (CONUS). For this purpose, ELM simulations are performed using two configurations without (NoD ELM) and with (D ELM) downscaling, both using TGUs derived for the 0.5‐degree grids and the same land surface parameters. Simulations using the two ELM configurations are compared over the CONUS domain, regional levels, and at observational sites (e.g., SNOTEL). The CONUS‐level results suggest that D ELM simulates more snowfall and snow water equivalent (SWE), higher runoff, and less ET during spring and summer. Regional‐level results suggest more pronounced impacts of downscaling over regions dominated by higher elevation TGUs and regions with maximum precipitation occurring during cool seasons. Results at the SNOTEL sites suggest that D ELM has superior capability of reproducing the observed SWE at 83% of the sites, with more pronounced performance over topographically heterogeneous TGUs with their maximum precipitation occurring during cool seasons. The results highlight the importance of improving representation of small‐scale surface heterogeneity in ESMs and motivate future research to understand their effects on land‐atmosphere interactions, streamflow, and water resources management over mountainous regions.
Historical Trends in Cold‐Season Mid‐Latitude Cyclones in the Great Lakes Region
Authors: Hutson Abby , Fujisaki‐Manome Ayumi , Glassman Ryan
Published: August 2024

The Great Lakes Region (GLR) of North America is at the intersection of multiple extratropical cyclone (ETC) tracks, and the region's cold‐season climate is heavily influenced by the large temperature gradients and intense precipitation associated with these cyclones. The goal of this study is to understand how ETCs are changing within a warming climate. Historical GLR cyclone characteristics from 1959 to 2021 are examined using a storm tracking algorithm and the ERA‐5 atmospheric reanalysis. Of the 886 cyclones identified, half are the large long‐track cyclones that are typically included in ETC studies, and half are smaller short‐track cyclones that, while not always considered in ETC studies, still have an important impact on the GLR with significant precipitation trends. While all cyclones exhibit strong interannual variability, storm trajectories appear to be migrating northward and, most notably, the cyclones are becoming warmer and wetter at a rate faster than the background climate.
Spatial Distribution of Tremor Episodes From Long‐Term Monitoring in the Northern Cascadia Subduction Zone
Authors: Bombardier Madison , Cassidy John F. , Dosso Stan E. , Kao Honn
Published: August 2024

Large bursts of non‐volcanic tremor (“major” tremor episodes) correlated with geodetic deformation recur regularly in the Cascadia subduction zone and are often called episodic tremor and slip (ETS). Minor episodes of tremor between ETS are ubiquitous but have been understudied. This paper assesses time‐invariant characteristics of tremor episodes of all sizes within northern Cascadia. We derive a catalog of tremor episodes ranging in size from 10 to >13,000 tremor events using the results of 17 years of tremor monitoring. Minor episodes represent ∼96% of all 896 tremor episodes and their occurrence varies on 10‐km scales. Using estimates for the depth of the forearc Moho and subducting slab, we observe an association between the location of the forearc mantle corner (FMC) and tremor occurrence that leads to along‐dip modality. Bimodality, present in southern Washington and Vancouver Island, represents the segmentation of major and minor episodes up‐dip and down‐dip of the FMC, respectively. Unimodality, present in Puget Sound, results when the FMC is located near the down‐dip edge of the ETS zone and no segmentation occurs. We also use our extensive tremor episode catalog alongside three‐dimensional regional tomographic velocity models to reassess the relationship between tremor activity and low Vp/Vs signatures in the forearc. We do not find a correlation between tremor episode recurrence intervals and Vp/Vs, contrary to some previous work, suggesting that controls on silica precipitation in the forearc crust are not dominant controls of tremor episode recurrence, or that the association is not widely observable.
Wave‐Convection Interactions Amplify Convective Parameterization Biases in the South Pacific Convergence Zone
Authors: Chen Yuanrui , Chu Wenchao , Wright Jonathon S. , Lin Yanluan
Published: August 2024

Climate models have long‐standing difficulties simulating the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) and its variability. For example, the default Zhang‐McFarlane (ZM) convection scheme in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) produces too much light precipitation and too little heavy precipitation in the SPCZ, with this bias toward light precipitation even more pronounced in the SPCZ than in the tropics as a whole. Here, we show that implementing a recently developed convection scheme in the CAM5 yields significant improvements in the simulated SPCZ during austral summer and discuss the reasons behind these improvements. In addition to intensifying both mean rainfall and its variability in the SPCZ, the new scheme produces a larger heavy rainfall fraction that is more consistent with observations and state‐of‐the‐art reanalyses. This shift toward heavier, more variable rainfall increases both the magnitude and altitude of diabatic heating associated with convective precipitation, intensifying lower tropospheric convergence and increasing the influence of convection on the upper‐level circulation. Increased diabatic production of potential vorticity in the upper troposphere intensifies the distortion effect exerted by convection on transient Rossby waves that pass through the SPCZ. Weaker distortion effects in simulations using the ZM scheme allow waves to propagate continuously through the region rather than dissipating locally, further reducing updrafts and weakening convection in the SPCZ. Our results outline a dynamical framework for evaluating model representations of tropical–extratropical interactions within the SPCZ and clarify why convective parameterizations that produce “top‐heavy” profiles of deep convective heating better represent the SPCZ and its variability.
Evaluating Radio Occultation (RO) Constellation Designs Using Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) for Ionospheric Specification
Authors: Dietrich Nicholas , Matsuo Tomoko , Lin Chi‐Yen , diLorenzo Brandon , Chien‐Hung Lin Charles , Fang Tzu‐Wei
Published: August 2024

Low Earth orbit (LEO) radio occultation|radio occultations (RO) constellations can provide global electron density profiles (EDPs) to better specify and forecast the ionosphere‐thermosphere (I‐T) system. To inform future RO constellation design, this study uses comprehensive Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) to assess the ionospheric specification impact of assimilating synthetic EDPs into a coupled I‐T model. These OSSEs use 10 different sets of RO constellation configurations containing 6 or 12 LEO satellites with base orbit parameter combinations of 520 or 800 km altitude, and 24° or 72° inclination. The OSSEs are performed using the Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter implemented in the data assimilation (DA) Research Testbed and the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM). A different I‐T model is used for the nature run, the Whole Atmosphere Model‐Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics (WAM‐IPE), to simulate the period of interest is the St. Patrick's Day storm on March 13–18, 2015. Errors from models and EDP retrieval are realistically accounted for in this study through distinct I‐T models and by retrieving synthetic EDPs through an extension Abel inversion algorithm. OSSE assessment, using multiple metrics, finds that greater EDP spatial coverage leading to improved specification at altitudes 300 km and above, with the 520 km altitude constellations performing best due to yielding the highest observation counts. A potential performance limit is suggested with two 6‐satellite constellations. Lastly, close examination of Abel inversion error impacts highlights major EDP limitations at altitudes below 200 km and dayside equatorial regions with large horizontal gradients and low electron density magnitudes.
When HIPAA hurts: legal barriers to texting may reinforce healthcare disparities and disenfranchise vulnerable patients
Authors: Lindsey Denita , Sinkey Rachel , Travers Colm , Budhwani Henna , Richardson Molly , Quinney Rosylen , Turan Janet M. , Wallace Eric , Wingate Martha S. , Tita Alan , Carlo Waldemar A. , Shukla Vivek V.
Published: August 2024

Effective health communication between healthcare providers and patients is a cornerstone of quality healthcare. It underpins trust, comprehension, and patient-informed care. Robust research shows that effective communication, including the use of text messaging for communication can improve maternal/fetal and neonatal outcomes and patient satisfaction, particularly among vulnerable patients. Health information privacy laws that do not evolve with technological advances can inadvertently create barriers to effective health communication, reinforcing perinatal disparities. This is particularly true regarding maternal and child health, where the use of text messaging for patient communication has the potential to make a substantial impact on health disparities. This article explores the complex interplay between health information privacy laws and text messaging, highlighting challenges and examining potential solutions. It stresses the need for consistent health information privacy laws that protect the privacy security of health information for pregnant patients and new mothers, while also aligning with evolving communication technologies.
Organic polaritonic light-emitting diodes with high luminance and color purity toward laser displays
Authors: De Jianbo , Zhao Ruiyang , Yin Fan , Gu Chunling , Long Teng , Huang Han , Cao Xue , An Cunbin , Liao Bo , Fu Hongbing , Liao Qing
Published: August 2024

Achieving high-luminescence organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with narrowband emission and high color purity is important in various optoelectronic fields. Laser displays exhibit outstanding advantages in next-generation display technologies owing to their ultimate visual experience, but this remains a great challenge. Here, we develop a novel OLED based organic single crystals. By strongly coupling the organic exciton state to an optical microcavity, we obtain polariton electroluminescent (EL) emission from the polariton OLEDs (OPLEDs) with high luminance, narrow-band emission, high color purity, high polarization as well as excellent optically pumped polariton laser. Further, we evaluate the potential for electrically pumped polariton laser through theoretical analysis and provide possible solutions. This work provides a powerful strategy with a material–device combination that paves the way for electrically driven organic single-crystal-based polariton luminescent devices and possibly lasers.
Radiationless optical modes in metasurfaces: recent progress and applications
Authors: Muhammad Naseer , Su Zhaoxian , Jiang Qiang , Wang Yongtian , Huang Lingling
Published: August 2024

Non-radiative optical modes attracted enormous attention in optics due to strong light confinement and giant Q-factor at its spectral position. The destructive interference of multipoles leads to zero net-radiation and strong field trapping. Such radiationless states disappear in the far-field, localize enhanced near-field and can be excited in nano-structures. On the other hand, the optical modes turn out to be completely confined due to no losses at discrete point in the radiation continuum, such states result in infinite Q-factor and lifetime. The radiationless states provide a suitable platform for enhanced light matter interaction, lasing, and boost nonlinear processes at the state regime. These modes are widely investigated in different material configurations for various applications in both linear and nonlinear metasurfaces which are briefly discussed in this review.
An early giant planet instability recorded in asteroidal meteorites
Authors: Edwards Graham Harper , Keller C. Brenhin , Newton Elisabeth R. , Stewart Cameron W.
Published: August 2024

Giant planet migration appears widespread among planetary systems in our Galaxy. However, the timescales of this process, which reflect the underlying dynamical mechanisms, are not well constrained, even within the Solar System. As planetary migration scatters smaller bodies onto intersecting orbits, it would have resulted in an epoch of enhanced bombardment in the Solar System’s asteroid belt. Here, to accurately and precisely quantify the timescales of migration, we interrogate thermochronologic data from asteroidal meteorites, which record the thermal imprint of energetic collisions. We present a database of 40K–40Ar system ages from chondrite meteorites and evaluate it with an asteroid-scale thermal code coupled to a Markov chain Monte Carlo inversion. Simulations require bombardment to reproduce the observed age distribution and identify a bombardment event beginning $$11.{3}_{-6.6}^{+9.5}\, {\mathrm{Myr}}$$

11
.

3

−
6.6

+
9.5

Myr

after the Sun formed (50% credible interval). Our results associate a giant planet instability in our Solar System with the dissipation of the gaseous protoplanetary disk.
Characterizing the dynamics of multi-scale global high impact weather events
Authors: Frank Lawrence R. , Galinsky Vitaly L. , Zhang Zhenhai , Ralph F. Martin
Published: August 2024

The quantitative characterization and prediction of localized severe weather events that emerge as coherences generated by the highly non-linear interacting multivariate dynamics of global weather systems poses a significant challenge whose solution is increasingly important in the face of climate change where weather extremes are on the rise. As weather measurement systems (multiband satellite, radar, etc) continue to dramatically improve, increasingly complex time-dependent multivariate 3D datasets offer the potential to inform such problems but pose an increasingly daunting computational challenge. Here we describe the application to global weather systems of a novel computational method called the Entropy Field Decomposition (EFD) capable of efficiently characterizing coherent spatiotemporal structures in non-linear multivariate interacting physical systems. Using the EFD derived system configurations, we demonstrate the application of a second novel computational method called Space-Time Information Trajectories (STITs) that reveal how spatiotemporal coherences are dynamically connected. The method is demonstrated on the specific phenomenon known as atmospheric rivers (ARs) which are a prime example of a highly coherent, in both space and time, severe weather phenomenon whose generation and persistence are influenced by weather dynamics on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The EFD reveals how the interacting wind vector field and humidity scalar field couple to produce ARs, while the resulting STITS reveal the linkage between ARs and large-scale planetary circulations. The focus on ARs is also motivated by their devastating social and economic effects that have made them the subject of increasing scientific investigation to which the EFD may offer new insights. The application of EFD and STITs to the broader range of severe weather events is discussed.
Moving spiders do not boost visual search in spider fear
Authors: Becker Miriam , Troje Nikolaus F. , Schmidt Filipp , Haberkamp Anke
Published: August 2024

Previous research on attention to fear-relevant stimuli has largely focused on static pictures or drawings, and thus did not consider the potential effect of natural motion. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of motion on attentional capture in spider-fearful and non-fearful participants by using point-light stimuli and naturalistic videos. Point-light stimuli consist of moving dots representing joints and thereby visualizing biological motion (e.g. of a walking human or cat) without needing a visible body. Spider-fearful (n = 30) and non-spider-fearful (n = 31) participants completed a visual search task with moving targets (point-light/naturalistic videos) and static distractors (images), static targets and moving distractors, or static targets and static distractors. Participants searched for a specified animal type (snakes, spiders, cats, or doves) as quickly as possible. We replicated previous findings with static stimuli: snakes were detected faster and increased distraction, while spiders just increased distraction. However, contrary to our hypotheses, spider targets did not speed up responses, neither in the group of control nor in the group of spider-fearful participants. Interestingly, stimuli-specific effects were toned down, abolished, or even changed direction when motion was introduced. Also, we demonstrated that point-light stimuli were of similar efficiency as naturalistic videos, indicating that for testing effects of motion in visual search, “pure” motion stimuli might be sufficient. As we do show a substantial modulation of visual search phenomena by biological motion, we advocate for future studies to use moving stimuli, equivalent to our dynamic environment, to increase ecological validity.
Feasibility of magnetomyography with optically pumped magnetometers in a mobile magnetic shield
Authors: Nordenström Simon , Lebedev Victor , Hartwig Stefan , Kruse Marlen , Marquetand Justus , Broser Philip , Middelmann Thomas
Published: August 2024

While magnetomyography (MMG) using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) is a promising method for non-invasive investigation of the neuromuscular system, it has almost exclusively been performed in magnetically shielded rooms (MSRs) to date. MSRs provide extraordinary conditions for biomagnetic measurements but limit the widespread adoption of measurement methods due to high costs and extensive infrastructure. In this work, we address this issue by exploring the feasibility of mobile OPM-MMG in a setup of commercially available components. From field mapping and simulations, we find that the employed zero-field OPM can operate within a large region of the mobile shield, beyond which residual magnetic fields and perturbations become increasingly intolerable. Moreover, with digital filtering and moderate averaging a signal quality comparable to that in a heavily shielded MSR is attained. These findings facilitate practical and cost-effective implementations of OPM-MMG systems in clinical practice and research.
Influence of casein on the degradation process of polylactide-casein coatings for resorbable alloys
Authors: Cesarz-Andraczke Katarzyna , Staszuk Marcin , Tunçay Tansel , Woźniak Anna , Smok Weronika , Tunçay Badegül
Published: August 2024

This study used the dip-coating method to develop a new biocompatible coating composed of polylactide (PLA) and casein for ZnMg1.2 wt% alloy implants. It evaluated its impact on the alloy's degradation in a simulated body fluid. After 168 h of immersion in Ringer's solution, surface morphology analysis showed that the PLA-casein coatings demonstrated uniform degradation, with the corrosion current density measured at 48 µA/cm2. Contact angle measurements indicated that the average contact angles for the PLA-casein-coated samples were below 80°, signifying a hydrophilic nature that promotes cell adhesion. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed no presence of lactic acid on PLA-casein coatings after immersion, in contrast to pure PLA coatings. Pull-off adhesion tests showed tensile strength values of 7.6 MPa for pure PLA coatings and 5 MPa for PLA-casein coatings. Electrochemical tests further supported the favorable corrosion resistance of the PLA-casein coatings, highlighting their potential to reduce tissue inflammation and improve the biocompatibility of ZnMg1.2 wt% alloy implants.
The association between liking, learning and creativity in music
Authors: Zioga Ioanna , Harrison Peter M. C. , Pearce Marcus , Bhattacharya Joydeep , Di Bernardi Luft Caroline
Published: August 2024

Aesthetic preference is intricately linked to learning and creativity. Previous studies have largely examined the perception of novelty in terms of pleasantness and the generation of novelty via creativity separately. The current study examines the connection between perception and generation of novelty in music; specifically, we investigated how pleasantness judgements and brain responses to musical notes of varying probability (estimated by a computational model of auditory expectation) are linked to learning and creativity. To facilitate learning de novo, 40 non-musicians were trained on an unfamiliar artificial music grammar. After learning, participants evaluated the pleasantness of the final notes of melodies, which varied in probability, while their EEG was recorded. They also composed their own musical pieces using the learned grammar which were subsequently assessed by experts. As expected, there was an inverted U-shaped relationship between liking and probability: participants were more likely to rate the notes with intermediate probabilities as pleasant. Further, intermediate probability notes elicited larger N100 and P200 at posterior and frontal sites, respectively, associated with prediction error processing. Crucially, individuals who produced less creative compositions preferred higher probability notes, whereas individuals who composed more creative pieces preferred notes with intermediate probability. Finally, evoked brain responses to note probability were relatively independent of learning and creativity, suggesting that these higher-level processes are not mediated by brain responses related to performance monitoring. Overall, our findings shed light on the relationship between perception and generation of novelty, offering new insights into aesthetic preference and its neural correlates.
Arabidopsis VQ motif-containing proteins VQ1 and VQ10 interact with plastidial 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase
Authors: Gayubas Beatriz , Castillo Mari-Cruz , León José
Published: August 2024

VQ1 and VQ10 are largely unstructured homologous proteins with a significant potential for protein–protein interactions. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) analysis confirmed that both proteins interact not only with themselves and each other but also with other VQ and WRKY proteins. Screening an Arabidopsis Y2H library with VQ1 as bait identified 287 interacting proteins. Validation of the screening confirmed that interactions with VQ1 also occurred with VQ10, supporting their functional homology. Although VQ1 or VQ10 proteins do not localize in plastids, 47 VQ1-targets were found to be plastidial proteins. In planta interaction with the isoprenoid biosynthetic enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. DXS oligomerizes through redox-regulated intermolecular disulfide bond formation, and the interaction with VQ1 or VQ10 do not involve their unique C residues. The VQ-DXS protein interaction did not alter plastid DXS localization or its oligomerization state. Although plants with enhanced or reduced VQ1 and VQ10 expression did not exhibit significantly altered levels of isoprenoids compared to wild-type plants, they did display significantly improved or diminished photosynthesis efficiency, respectively.
A subset of dopamine receptor-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens controls feeding and energy homeostasis
Authors: Liu Yiqiong , Wang Ying , Zhao Zheng-dong , Xie Guoguang , Zhang Chao , Chen Renchao , Zhang Yi
Published: August 2024

Orchestrating complex behaviors, such as approaching and consuming food, is critical for survival. In addition to hypothalamus neuronal circuits, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) also controls appetite and satiety. However, specific neuronal subtypes of the NAc that are involved and how the humoral and neuronal signals coordinate to regulate feeding remain incompletely understood. Here we decipher the spatial diversity of neuron subtypes of the NAc shell (NAcSh) and define a dopamine receptor D1-expressing and Serpinb2-expressing subtype controlling food consumption in male mice. Chemogenetics and optogenetics-mediated regulation of Serpinb2+ neurons bidirectionally regulate food seeking and consumption specifically. Circuitry stimulation reveals that the NAcShSerpinb2→LHLepR projection controls refeeding and can overcome leptin-mediated feeding suppression. Furthermore, NAcSh Serpinb2+ neuron ablation reduces food intake and upregulates energy expenditure, resulting in reduced bodyweight gain. Our study reveals a neural circuit consisting of a molecularly distinct neuronal subtype that bidirectionally regulates energy homeostasis, providing a potential therapeutic target for eating disorders.
Hybrid cell membranes camouflage liposomes containing payloads to improve breast cancer chemo and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wang Chengfang , Wu Size
Published: August 2024

Developing a novel biomimetic material, Dox-IR780@Lip@Ms, aims to optimize drug delivery, reduce the side effects of drugs, and synergistically enhance therapeutic effect for unresectable locally advanced breast cancer and/or metastasis.
Vigorously stirred La2O3 suspensions for Michael additions in water
Authors: Hisada Tomoya , Osada Rina , Kitanosono Taku , Yamashita Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Shū
Published: August 2024

Vigorously stirred La2O3 suspensions in water demonstrated exceptional efficiency (e.g. high yields, short reaction times) for carbon–carbon bond formation. Water proved irreplaceable by organic solvents despite the reactant(s) being immiscible.
HFIP promoted carbo-lactonisation as a new route to functionalised lactones
Authors: Aynetdinova Daniya , Jaschinski Megan , Jenkins Timothy C. , Donohoe Timothy J.
Published: August 2024

Use of cationic intermediates to initiate lactonaisation reactions. Leads to the efficient formation of 5 & 6 membered lactones and a new C–C bond.
Multimetal synergy in an iron–cobalt–nickel hydroxide electrocatalyst for electro-oxidative lignin depolymerization to produce value-added aromatic chemicals
Authors: Li Pengfeng , Zhang Jiaqi , Liu Shanshan , Lei Fengcai , Sun Xu , Xie Junfeng
Published: August 2024

A ternary iron–cobalt–nickel hydroxide nanoarray catalyst was fabricated, which achieves enhanced performance towards electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin models to produce benzoic acid and phenol.
Photochemical α-amination of carbonyl groups with iodinanes
Authors: He Suyuan , Feng Boya , Tang Yiben , Chen Ruiping , Guo Yujing , Koenigs Rene M.
Published: August 2024

We report on a photochemical reaction of silyl enol ethers with iminoiodinanes.
Fast one-step acrylate functionalization of hyaluronic acid via Williamson ether synthesis
Authors: Milne Cameron , Song Rijian , Zhu Runqi , Johnson Melissa , Zhao Chunyu , Ferrer Francesca Santoro , A Sigen , Lyu Jing , Wang Wenxin
Published: August 2024

Fast and efficient acrylate functionalization of hyaluronic acid via Williamson ether synthesis for versatile hydrogel crosslinking.
Reactivity of a triamidoamine terminal uranium(vi)-nitride with 3d-transition metal metallocenes
Authors: Seed John A. , Cleaves Peter A. , Hatton Georgina R. , King David M. , Tuna Floriana , Wooles Ashley J. , Chilton Nicholas F. , Liddle Stephen T.
Published: August 2024

The reactions of a uranium(vi)-nitride with 3d-transition metal metallocenes have been examined.
Serendipitous discovery of a novel polymorph of an immunosuppressant drug azathioprine: phase transformation, solubility, dissolution and stability study
Authors: Kalavalapudi Likhitha , Palani Sivanarayanan , Nechipadappu Sunil Kumar
Published: August 2024

A novel polymorph of an immunosuppressant drug azathioprine (AZP) is prepared (F-III) along with two solvates (2-methoxyethanol (MEE) and 1,4-dioxane (DOX)) and a monohydrate of AZP.
Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy of the transition of jet cooled 14NO3 and 15NO3 II: the dispersed fluorescence spectrum from the 3rd E level of the ν4 mode (approximately the 2ν4 (e′), l = 0, level)
Authors: Fukushima Masaru
Published: August 2024

This paper studies the dispersed fluorescence spectrum from the 3rd E level of the ν4 mode (approximately the 2ν4 (e′), l = 0, level).
Cooperative aggregation of gold nanoparticles on phospholipid vesicles is electrostatically driven
Authors: Mateos Helena , Mallardi Antonia , Oliver Miquel , Dell’Aglio Marcella , Giannone Pamela , Palazzo Gerardo
Published: August 2024

Negatively charged gold nanoparticles show strong cooperative aggregation on slightly negative phospholipid vesicles as ionic strength decreases, driven by electrostatic attraction between dissimilar objects with the same charge sign.
“Bottom-up” and “top-down” strategies toward strong cellulose-based materials
Authors: Qin Qin , Zeng Shiyi , Duan Gaigai , Liu Yanbo , Han Xiaoshuai , Yu Ruizhi , Huang Yong , Zhang Chunmei , Han Jingquan , Jiang Shaohua
Published: August 2024

The research progress of strong cellulose-based materials from the “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches are summarized.
First principles investigation of manganese catalyst structure and coordination in the p-xylene oxidation process
Authors: Thomas Harry N. , Wass Duncan F. , Offiler Caroline A. , Whiston Keith , Logsdail Andrew J.
Published: August 2024

The oxidation of p-xylene to terephtalic acid is important for the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This work investigates the coordination of the Mn catalyst species under operating conditions.
Insights into pharmacokinetic properties for exposure chemicals: predictive modelling of human plasma fraction unbound (fu) and hepatocyte intrinsic clearance (Clint) data using machine learning
Authors: Pore Souvik , Roy Kunal
Published: August 2024

We have developed regression-based models with the protein fraction unbound (fu) human data set and a classification-based model with the hepatocyte intrinsic clearance (Clint) human data set collected from the recently published ICE database.
Dismai-Bench: benchmarking and designing generative models using disordered materials and interfaces
Authors: Yong Adrian Xiao Bin , Su Tianyu , Ertekin Elif
Published: August 2024

Dismai-Bench benchmarks generative models on datasets of large disordered materials and interfaces, through direct comparisons between training structures and generated structures.
Chemical CO2 fixation using a cyanido bridged heterometallic Zn(ii)–Mn(ii) 2D coordination polymer
Authors: Dadmehr Parvaneh , Bikas Rahman , Lis Tadeusz
Published: August 2024

The synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic properties and catalytic activity of a new cyanide bridged Mn(ii)–Zn(ii) mixed metal coordination polymer are reported.
Barbital-derived chelating ligands for interface regulation and stabilization of Zn metal anodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Pengju , Jia Wenbin , Sun BeiBei , Yang Shengnan , Wu Ying , Tang Fengqin , Hu Libing
Published: August 2024

Hydrolysis of barbital produces carboxyl and amino groups that coordinate with Zn2+ ions to stabilize a Zn metal anode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Tailoring C–H amination activity via modification of the triazole-derived carbene ligand
Authors: Hudson Luke A. , Stroek Wowa , Albrecht Martin
Published: August 2024

Tailoring of the wingtip groups of triazole-derived carbene ligands offers a rational approach for modulating the catalytic activity and selectivity of the iron center in C–H bond amination catalysis, and also reveals a general mechanistic profile.
Sharing N atoms boosting Z-scheme charge transfer in SrTiO2N/CNx heterojunctions for selective photoreduction of CO2 to CH4
Authors: Wang Qing-shan , Yuan Yi-chao , Pan Wei-guo , Guo Rui-tang
Published: August 2024

The Z-scheme charge transfer is proposed by sharing N atoms.
Ruthenium-catalyzed “open-loop” recycling of polyethylene via tandem isomerization-metathesis (ISOMET)
Authors: Farkas Vajk , Albrecht Pascal , Erdélyi Ádám , Nagyházi Márton , Csutorás Beatrix , Turczel Gábor , Miskolczi Norbert , Bobek-Nagy Janka , Osterthun Ole , Klankermayer Jürgen , Tuba Robert
Published: August 2024

The highly efficient conversion of post-consumer PE waste into propylene by single metal-catalyzed isomerization-metathesis (ISOMET) opens up new alternatives for persistent plastic waste upcycling.
Multi-stimuli-responsive behaviours of fluorenone-based donor–acceptor–donor triads in solution and supramolecular gel states
Authors: Suzuki Mao , Seki Atsushi , Yamada Syota , Aoki Ken’ichi
Published: August 2024

The newly developed fluorenone-based donor–acceptor–donor triads formed supramolecular organogels in appropriate solvents. The stimuli-responsive behaviours in solution as well as in supramolecular gels of the fluorenone derivatives were clarified.
Tuning N-heterocyclic carbene wingtips to form electrochemically stable adlayers on metals
Authors: Jensen Isabel M. , Clark Vincent , Kirby Harper L. , Arroyo-Currás Netzahualcóyotl , Jenkins David M.
Published: August 2024

Constructing the building blocks for the development of NHC-functionalized electrochemical sensors.
Noble metal free high entropy alloys with amorphous based heterostructures for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Yao Jia , Zhu Yin'an , Dai Ting , Lu Tao , Pan Ye
Published: August 2024

Designing cost-effective catalysts with high activity and stability for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is important to scale-up the water electrolysis process for hydrogen production.
The l-lysine-assisted synthesis of a nano-ZSM-5 zeolite as a catalyst for oleic acid pyrolysis to BTX
Authors: Fu Sen , Guo Hanxu , Yuan Hong
Published: August 2024

A nano-ZSM-5 zeolite having a hierarchical pore structure was synthesized using l-lysine as a mesopore template and growth inhibitor. This material was used to catalyze the pyrolysis of oleic acid to produce BTX.
Exploring supramolecular architectures in Mn(iii) two-compartment o-vanhd Schiff base complexes: insights from apical aqua ligands and bond valence sum analysis
Authors: Narayanaswamy Srinivasan , Bhargavi G. , Rajasekharan M. V.
Published: August 2024

Three novel Mn(iii) vanhd complexes, namely [Mn(o-vanhd)(N3−)(H2O)]·CH3OH (1), [Mn(o-vanhd)(NCS−)(H2O)]·2CH3CN (2), and [Mn(o-vanhd)(H2O)]·ClO4·H2O (3), have been successfully synthesized using compartmental ligands paired with ancillary ligands.
A study on value addition of cow dung-based anaerobic sludge for biomethane and bio-oil production via co-liquefaction with rice straw and clam shells as a catalyst
Authors: Abdo Hany S. , Alnaser Ibrahim A. , Karim Mohammad R. , Mohammed Jabair A. , Aijaz Muhammad Omer , Hassan Ahmed , Seikh Asiful H.
Published: August 2024

Hydrothermal liquefaction of rice straw and cow dung after anaerobic digestion towards sustainable waste utilization for bio-oil production.
Fabrication and characterization of natural fiber reinforced cowpea resin-based green composites: an approach towards agro-waste valorization
Authors: Pattnaik Shruti S. , Behera Diptiranjan , Das Nigamananda , Dash Ashwini K. , Behera Ajaya K.
Published: August 2024

A paradigm shift towards using bio-resin.
Preparation, acid modification and catalytic activity of kaolinite nanotubes in α-pinene oxide isomerization
Authors: Sidorenko Alexander Yu. , Khalimonyuk Tatiana V. , Mamatkodirov Behzodjon D. , Yakubov Yoldosh Yu. , Aho Atte , Sviridova Tatiana V. , Kouznetsova Tatiana F. , Adizov Bobirjon Z. , Ibragimov Aziz B. , Murzin Dmitry Yu. , Gu Yanlong , Agabekov Vladimir E.
Published: August 2024

Commercial kaolin after sequential intercalation by DMSO and methanol was treated with CTACl solution giving kaolinite nanotubes. After acid functionalization with the piranha solution the catalyst was applied in α-pinene oxide isomerization.
Fullerenes and tree-shaped/fingerprinted carbon quantum dots for chromium adsorption via microwave-assisted synthesis
Authors: Tohamy Hebat-Allah S. , El-Sakhawy Mohamed , Kamel Samir
Published: August 2024

Employing citric acid/dimethyl formamide (CA/DMF), two distinct types of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), tree-shaped/fingerprinted (TF-CQDs) and fullerene-like (F) were synthesized from both cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).
Recovery of copper/carbon matrix nanoheteroarchitectures from recyclable electronic waste and their efficacy as antibacterial agents
Authors: Abdelkhalek Mariam M. , Seif Rania , Abdallah Rehab Z. , Akar Abdallah A. , Siam Rania , Allam Nageh K.
Published: August 2024

This study demonstrates how to hit two birds with one stone. Nanomaterials extracted from electronic waste can be used as antibacterial agents.
Phantom chain simulations for the fracture of star polymer networks with various strand densities
Authors: Masubuchi Yuichi , Ishida Takato , Koide Yusuke , Uneyama Takashi
Published: August 2024

Fracture characteristics of phantom chain networks made from star prepolymers lie on density-dependent master curves if they are plotted against cycle rank. The density dependence cannot be explained by the modulus.
Unraveling the significance of the zinc ratio in water-in-salt electrolytes
Authors: Fenta Fekadu Wubatu , Bouchal Roza
Published: August 2024

Existence of an optimal Zn2+ concentration ratio within water-in-salt electrolytes to achieve better Zn anode cycling stability.
“Polymer to polymer” recycling and body-temperature triggered shape memory of a carvone-based epoxy thermoset system achieved using a thiol-Michael covalent adaptable network
Authors: Liu Beitao , Li Jiahui , Zhang Cijian , Wang Yibo , Jian Xigao , Weng Zhihuan
Published: August 2024

Closed-loop chemical recycling and body temperature-triggered shape memory of an epoxy thermoset system were achieved by using reversible thiol-Michael chemistry.
Bioinspired sustainable cellulose-based nanocomposites with remarkable flame-retardant performance
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Mengfei , Wang PengPeng , Wang Dong , Li Ting , Bai Huiyu , Zhang Xuhui , Xia Bihua , Dong Weifu
Published: August 2024

Inspired by the hierarchical layered structure of nacre, bioinspired nanocomposites with unique flame-retardant and mechanical properties were fabricated from phytic acid-modified CNF and GO.
Data-mining fluoride-based solid-state electrolytes for monovalent metal batteries
Authors: Heo Gunyoung , Soon Aloysius , Lee Taehun
Published: August 2024

Using data mining and machine-learned MD simulations, we identify novel Li and Na-based fluorides as optimal solid-state electrolytes for batteries.
Advanced ultra heat-resistant explosives with multiple heterocyclic skeletons of hydrogen bond network
Authors: Li Chengchuang , Zhu Teng , Wang Chao , Chen Luyao , Lei Caijin , Tang Jie , Yang Hongwei , Xiao Chuan , Cheng Guangbin
Published: August 2024

H4 (Td = 365 °C, D = 8844 m s−1) synthesized in this work possesses both super heat resistance and high explosive properties, strongly supporting it as a candidate for advanced ultra heat-resistant explosives.
Efficient triplet exciton phosphorescence quenching from a rhenium monolayer on silicon
Authors: Banks William H. , Coogan Michael P. , Markvart Tom , Danos Lefteris
Published: August 2024

Using phosphorescence lifetime image microscopy (PLIM) measurements we report up to 95% efficient triplet exciton energy transfer from a rhenium(i) fac-tricarbonyl bipyridine complex deposited as a Langmuir–Blodgett monolayer to crystalline silicon.
Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Dy1−xErxNi2 solid solutions and their promise for hydrogen liquefaction
Authors: Ćwik Jacek , Koshkid’ko Yurii , Shinde Kiran , Park Joonsik , de Oliveira Nilson Antunes , Babij Michał , Czernuszewicz Agata
Published: August 2024

The ΔTad values are high and reach their maximum within a narrow temperature range below 20 K. This indicates that Dy1−xErxNi2 solid solutions may be a viable option for refrigerants in magnetic cryocoolers suitable for hydrogen liquefaction.
An integrated screening approach for designing efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescent materials for OLEDs
Authors: Guo Hongxiang , Jiang Gaoshang , Diao Bowen , Du Jianjun , Sun Wen , Fan Jiangli , Peng Xiaojun
Published: August 2024

A novel screening process for organic materials identifies potential TADF molecules by combining luminescence stability and efficiency, and analyzing dihedral angles between TADF donors and acceptors.
Solvent-regulated multicolor-emissive carbon dots and their application in multicolor light-emitting diodes
Authors: Wang Yaling , Huang Genghong , Yan Zishan , Cao Guangqun , Zheng Wenjing , Hu Shengliang , Liu Bin , Yang Yongzhen
Published: August 2024

Multicolor emissive carbon dots are achieved using a solvent regulation strategy, exhibiting multiple emission mechanisms.
Temperature-insensitive high piezoelectricity in a (Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3–PbTiO3–PbZrO3 ternary system
Authors: Yan Shengjie , Di Siyun , Yang Mingyu , Zhang Yueyun , Sun Zheng , Liu Hui
Published: August 2024

A d33 value exceeding 350 pC N−1, maintained up to 320 °C, and a large strain of 0.29% within 20% variation are achieved in a novel system of BKT–PT–PZ. The stable nanosized domains contribute to the temperature-insensitive high piezoelectricity.