bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scalable Fabrication of Flexible Single‐Layer Strain and Double‐Layer Pressure Sensors by Inkjet Printing for Subtle Vibration Detection
Authors: Gai Chenhui , Li Dongtai , Zhang Xiaowen , Zhang Hao , Li Nan , Zheng Xiuting , Wu Daming , Sun Jingyao
Published: June 2021

Flexible sensors have attracted tremendous attentions in subtle force/vibration detection, human motion/health monitoring, and other related application fields. Although various sensors are developed to meet this growing demand, it is still a huge challenge to prepare satisfactory sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity and superior stability. In this work, a double‐layer flexible sensor is successfully prepared via an efficient and designable inkjet printing approach. Metallic silver layers are deposited onto polyurethane acrylate substrates with or without microstructures to form the flexible electrodes. The combination of a flat electrode and a microstructured electrode finally becomes a durable double‐layer flexible sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity and superior stability. Besides, the flexible flat electrodes can also be applied as single‐layer sensors. An ultrahigh sensitivity (maximum gauge factor of >1100), favorable durability (>1000 cycles), and fast response time (≈90 ms) are achieved simultaneously in a flat single‐layer sensor, while the combined double‐layer sensor presents quick response capability to small pressures (≈250 Pa). Moreover, these single‐layer and double‐layer sensors can monitor a variety of physiological signals (e.g., human pulse waveform, breathing behavior, and voice recognition), indicating their promising applications in wearable electronics.
Transforming Materials into Practical Automotive Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hou Junbo , Yang Min , Zhou Liwei , Yan Xiaohui , Ke Changchun , Zhang Junliang
Published: June 2021

Although tremendous efforts have been devoted into research and development of materials science and engineering, chemistry, electrochemistry, and solid‐state physics in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) over the last 30 years, the critical technologies and applied science underneath manufacturing and processing seem very seldom reported, which is further manifested by the realization of the gap between academy and industry within recent years. In this paper, the intrinsic relationship of materials‐processing‐performance is highlighted by thoroughly reviewing the bridge effect of processing, transport, and transfer at different scales across electrode, heterogeneous thermodynamics, and kinetics during charge‐discharge cycles, the tradeoff between areal capacity and rate performance, and some practical novel electrode designs. Based on very limited open literature, the fundamental basics and sciences of the state of art production steps including slurry mixing, coating, drying, calendering, electrolyte filling, and formatting are comprehensively discussed. Through correlating with the materials design and development, the electrode compositions and structures, and the bridge effect of processing, the in‐depth understanding of the importance of individual steps and their interactions are provided to shed light on further improvement on materials and manufacturing for LIBs.
Transient Neurovascular Interface for Minimally Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulation
Authors: Fanelli Adele , Ferlauto Laura , Zollinger Elodie Geneviève , Brina Olivier , Reymond Philippe , Machi Paolo , Ghezzi Diego
Published: June 2021

Neural interfaces are used to mitigate the burden of traumatic injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental disorders. However, the transient or permanent placement of an interface in close contact with the neural tissue requires invasive surgery, potentially entailing both short‐ and long‐term complications. To tackle this problem, a transient neurovascular interface for neural recording and stimulation is developed. This endovascular array has been fabricated with facile molding techniques using solely polymeric materials. In vitro experiments have shown promising electrochemical performance for both recording and stimulation, together with a lack of cytotoxicity in cultured cells. The device is compatible with standard endovascular catheters and, once deployed, provide good apposition to a cylindrical structure mimicking a blood vessel. The advantage of this device is twofold. On the one hand, the exploitation of the cerebrovascular system as an access route to the neural tissue avoids invasive surgeries. On the other hand, a transient device may reduce the inflammatory reaction and avoid additional surgeries for removal or replacement. This neurovascular interface combines the benefits of both transient bioelectronics and stent technology in a single device to broaden the range of applications of neural interfaces from neurological diseases and mental disorders to bioelectronics medicine.
Ultra‐Narrowband Photodetector with High Responsivity Enabled by Integrating Monolayer J‐Aggregate Organic Crystal with Graphene
Authors: Sun Beilei , Zhou Guodong , Wang Yi , Xu Xin , Tao Li , Zhao Ni , Tsang Hon Ki , Wang Xinran , Chen Zefeng , Xu Jian‐Bin
Published: June 2021

Narrowband photodetection has great significance for full‐color imaging and machine vision. The most common way to realize narrowband detection is to combine a bandpass filter with a broadband photodetector. Herein, an ultra‐narrow bandwidth photodetector without bandpass filter based on the combination of a monolayer J‐aggregate organic crystal with graphene is demonstrated. The monolayer PTCDI‐C13 J‐aggregate organic crystal grown on h‐BN substrate, which exhibits an absorption bandwidth of 10 nm, works as a light‐absorption material for narrowband photodetection; and graphene provides a conducting channel for photo‐induced carriers from the monolayer J‐aggregate film. Thanks to the ultra‐narrowband absorption of the monolayer PTCDI‐C13 J‐aggregate organic crystal and the high mobility of graphene, an ultra‐narrow spectral response of ≈13 nm and high responsivity of 1000 A W‐1 can be achieved in photoconductor mode. This design concept is generic for other J‐aggregates with different absorption windows and provides a new method to fabricate highly responsive narrowband photodetector.
Near‐Infrared Active Metasurface for Dynamic Polarization Conversion
Authors: Wu Pin Chieh , Sokhoyan Ruzan , Shirmanesh Ghazaleh Kafaie , Cheng Wen‐Hui , Atwater Harry A.
Published: June 2021

Control of optical polarization is central to harnessing the properties of electromagnetic radiation for many applications, including 3D imaging and quantum computation. However, conventional optical polarizing components are typically bulky and static, that is, fixed in their degree of polarization control. Active metasurfaces have potential for versatile polarization control in a compact form factor by temporally modulating electromagnetic amplitudes and phase between orthogonal electric field components. Here, dynamic control of the polarization state of reflected light from an active metasurface is demonstrated. The metasurface uses indium tin oxide (ITO) as an active element in an array of aluminum nanoantennas operating in the telecom range. Applying an electrical bias between the ITO layer and the back reflector modulates the carrier concentration in ITO at the gate‐dielectric/ITO interface, resulting in complex refractive index modulation in the epsilon‐near‐zero condition. This index modulation alters the degree of excitation of plasmonic modes corresponding to the orthogonal polarization components, leading to polarization modulation. By suitably biasing the metasurface, linearly polarized incident light can be converted to cross‐polarized, circularly polarized or elliptically polarized light upon reflection. Dynamic control of the reflected polarization state has potentially wide applications in dynamic wave plates, spatial light modulators, and adaptive wavefront control.
Ultrafast Photoinduced Heat Generation by Plasmonic HfN Nanoparticles
Authors: O'Neill Devin B. , Frehan Sean K. , Zhu Kaijian , Zoethout Erwin , Mul Guido , Garnett Erik C. , Huijser Annemarie , Askes Sven H. C.
Published: June 2021

There is great interest in the development of alternatives to noble metals for plasmonic nanostructures. Transition metal nitrides are promising due to their robust refractory properties. However, the photophysics of these nanostructures, particularly the hot carrier dynamics and photothermal response on ultrafast timescales, are not well understood. This limits their implementation in applications such as photothermal catalysis or solar thermophotovoltaics. In this study, the light‐induced relaxation processes in water‐dispersed HfN nanoparticles are, for the first time, elucidated by fs transient absorption, Lumerical FDTD and COMSOL Multiphysics simulations, and temperature‐dependent ellipsometry. It is unequivocally demonstrated that HfN nanoparticles convert absorbed photons into heat within <100 fs; no signature of hot charge carriers is observed. Interestingly, under high photon energy or intense irradiation stimulated Raman scattering characteristic of oxynitride surface termination is observed. These findings suggest that transition metal nitrides could offer benefits over noble metals in the field of plasmonic photothermal catalysis.
Self‐Driven Perovskite Dual‐Band Photodetectors Enabled by a Charge Separation Reversion Mechanism
Authors: Wang Jian , Xu Xiuwen , Xiao Shuang , Li Yu , Qian Wei , Yu Jun , Zhang Kai , Yang Shihe
Published: June 2021

New mechanisms and modalities for multiband light detection are highly desirable for the ever‐growing developments in machine vision technologies. Demonstrated here is a unique talent of halide perovskites for making self‐driven dual‐band photodetectors with a negative broadband response in the above‐bandgap absorption region and a positive narrowband response in the sub‐bandgap absorption region. The device operates through a charge separation reversion mechanism by controlling the built‐in electric field and the thickness‐dependent light absorption profile in the active material. Impressively, the demarcation wavelengths between the negative broadband and the positive narrowband responses can be continuously adjusted, with the positive narrowband response easily tuned from 410 to 675 nm. The dual‐band photodetector exhibits an extremely low noise of 10−15 A Hz−1/2 and a high specific detectivity of >1012 Jones in both above‐bandgap and sub‐bandgap absorption regions, opening up application opportunities in intelligent recognition and biomedical diagnosis.
Synergistic Coupling of Nickel Boride with Ru Cluster as a Highly Active Multifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting and Glucose Electrolysis
Authors: Liu Huixiang , Zhang Ruiqi , Chen Lulu , Wang Lincai , Guo Yanhui , Yang Yanjing
Published: June 2021

The development of highly active electrocatalysts is of great importance toward the practical applications of many meaningful electrocatalytic reactions. In this paper, the synthesis and electrocatalytic properties of a multifunctional ruthenium nickel boride hybrid electrocatalyst are reported for the first time. Compared to pristine nickel boride (Ni‐B) and Ru electrocatalysts, Ru@Ni‐B with trace Ru loading amount of 0.133 mg cm−2 prepared by a simple wet chemical method, shows remarkably improved activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction, the oxygen evolution reaction, and the glucose oxidation reaction. The electrolytic cell assembled with Ru@Ni‐B/nickel foam electrode as both cathode and anode can deliver 10 mA cm−2 at only 1.42 V for alkaline overall water splitting and 1.24 V for glucose electrolysis. It is further found that the synergistic coupling of ruthenium with nickel boride plays an important role in the superior performance of the hybrid electrocatalyst.
Catalytic Diastereo‐ and Enantioconvergent Synthesis of Vicinal Diamines from Diols through Borrowing Hydrogen
Authors: Pan Hui‐Jie , Lin Yamei , Gao Taotao , Lau Kai Kiat , Feng Wei , Yang Binmiao , Zhao Yu
Published: June 2021

We present herein an unprecedented diastereoconvergent synthesis of vicinal diamines from diols through an economical, redox‐neutral process. Under cooperative ruthenium and Lewis acid catalysis, readily available anilines and 1,2‐diols (as a mixture of diastereomers) couple to forge two C−N bonds in an efficient and diastereoselective fashion. By identifying an effective chiral iridium/phosphoric acid co‐catalyzed procedure, the first enantioconvergent double amination of racemic 1,2‐diols has also been achieved, resulting in a practical access to highly valuable enantioenriched vicinal diamines.
Hydrogen‐Binding‐Initiated Activation of O−H Bonds on a Nitrogen‐Doped Surface for the Catalytic Oxidation of Biomass Hydroxyl Compounds
Authors: Liu Xin , Luo Yang , Ma Hong , Zhang Shujing , Che Penghua , Zhang Meiyun , Gao Jin , Xu Jie
Published: June 2021

Hydrogen binding of molecules on solid surfaces is an attractive interaction that can be used as the driving force for bond activation, material‐directed assembly, protein protection, etc. However, the lack of a quantitative characterization method for hydrogen bonds (HBs) on surfaces seriously limits its application. We measured the standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG0) of on‐surface HBs using NMR. The HB‐accepting ability of the surface was investigated by comparing ΔG0 values employing the model biomass platform 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural on a series of Co‐N‐C‐n catalysts with adjustable electron‐rich nitrogen‐doped contents. Decreasing ΔG0 improves the HB‐accepting ability of the nitrogen‐doped surface and promotes the selectively initiated activation of O−H bonds in the oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural. As a result, the reaction kinetics is accelerated. In addition to the excellent catalytic performance, the turnover frequency (TOF) for this oxidation is much higher than for reported non‐noble‐metal catalysts.
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Complex N‐Glycans of the Parasite S. mansoni to Examine the Importance of Epitope Presentation on DC‐SIGN recognition
Authors: Srivastava Apoorva D. , Unione Luca , Bunyatov Mehman , Gagarinov Ivan A. , Delgado Sandra , Abrescia Nicola G. A. , Ardá Ana , Boons Geert‐Jan
Published: June 2021

The importance of multivalency for N‐glycan‐protein interactions has primarily been studied by attachment of minimal epitopes to artificial multivalent scaffold and not in the context of multi‐antennary glycans. N‐glycans can be modified by bisecting GlcNAc, core xylosides and fucosides, and extended N‐acetyl lactosamine moieties. The impact of such modifications on glycan recognition are also not well understood. We describe here a chemoenzymatic methodology that can provide N‐glycans expressed by the parasitic worm S. mansoni having unique epitopes at each antenna and containing core xyloside. NMR, computational and electron microscopy were employed to investigate recognition of the glycans by the human lectin DC‐SIGN. It revealed that core xyloside does not influence terminal epitope recognition. The multi‐antennary glycans bound with higher affinity to DC‐SIGN compared to mono‐valent counterparts, which was attributed to proximity‐induced effective concentration. The multi‐antennary glycans cross‐linked DC‐SIGN into a dense network, which likely is relevant for antigen uptake and intracellular routing.
Large‐Scale Synthesis of Functionalized Nanowires to Construct Nanoelectrodes for Intracellular Sensing
Authors: Wu Wen‐Tao , Jiang Hong , Qi Yu‐Ting , Fan Wen‐Ting , Yan Jing , Liu Yan‐Ling , Huang Wei‐Hua
Published: June 2021

A strategy for one‐pot and large‐scale synthesis of functionalized core–shell nanowires (NWs) to high‐efficiently construct single nanowire electrodes is proposed. Based on the polymerization reaction between 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and noble metal cations, manifold noble metal nanoparticles‐polyEDOT (PEDOT) nanocomposites can be uniformly modified on the surface of any nonconductive NWs. This provides a facile and versatile approach to produce massive number of core–shell NWs with excellent conductivity, adjustable size, and well‐designed properties. Nanoelectrodes manufactured with such core–shell NWs exhibit excellent electrochemical performance and mechanical stability as well as favorable antifouling properties, which are demonstrated by in situ intracellular monitoring of biological molecules (nitric oxide) and unraveling its relevant unclear signaling pathway inside single living cells.
Heteroleptische Koordination durch einen endo‐funktionalisierten Käfig
Authors: Bete Sarah C. , Otte Matthias
Published: June 2021

Ein konzeptioneller Ansatz für die Synthese von quasi‐heteroleptischen Komplexen auf der Basis von endo‐funktionalisierten organischen Käfigen wird vorgestellt. Die Synthese des Liganden erfolgt über einen dynamisch kombinatorischen Ansatz und bedient sich eines maskierten Amins. Inspiriert von der facialen Triade in den aktiven Zentren diverser Enzyme besitzt dieser eine Carboxylat‐ und zwei Imidazolfunktionen als koordinierende Einheiten. Untersuchungen der FeII‐ und ZnII‐Komplexe bestätigen die angestrebte Struktur und insbesondere auch, dass keine unerwünschte, jedoch bei klassischen biomimetischen Komplexen oft beobachtete Dimerisierung stattfindet. Die Kristallstruktur des Eisen‐Triethylamin‐Komplexes zeigt ein fünffach koordiniertes Metallzentrum mit zweizähniger Anbindung des Carboxylatliganden, wodurch Fe@2 eine beispiellos genaue strukturelle Nachbildung von dieser Art von nicht‐Häm‐Eisenoxygenasen darstellt. Da, wie in der Kristallstruktur zu sehen, innerhalb der Kavität genug Platz für die Koordination externer Liganden möglich ist, wird der in diesem Kontext biologisch relevante Ligand α‐Ketoglutarat eingeführt, was in biomimetischer Reaktivität gegenüber Sauerstoff resultiert.
Sodium‐Decorated Amorphous/Crystalline RuO2 with Rich Oxygen Vacancies: A Robust pH‐Universal Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Jang Haeseong , Liu Huihui , Kim Min Gyu , Yang Dongjiang , Liu Shangguo , Liu Xien , Cho Jaephil
Published: June 2021

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key reaction for many electrochemical devices. To date, many OER electrocatalysts function well in alkaline media, but exhibit poor performances in neutral and acidic media, especially the acidic stability. Herein, sodium‐decorated amorphous/crystalline RuO2 with rich oxygen vacancies (a/c‐RuO2) was developed as a pH‐universal OER electrocatalyst. The a/c‐RuO2 shows remarkable resistance to acid corrosion and oxidation during OER, which leads to an extremely high catalytic stability, as confirmed by a negligible overpotential increase after continuously catalyzing OER for 60 h at pH=1. Besides, a/c‐RuO2 also exhibits superior OER activities to commercial RuO2 and most reported OER catalysts under all pH conditions. Theoretical calculations indicated that the introduction of Na dopant and oxygen vacancy in RuO2 weakens the adsorption strength of the OER intermediates by engineering the d‐band center, thereby lowering the energy barrier for OER.
Total Structure of Bimetallic Core–Shell [Au42Cd40(SR)52]2− Nanocluster and Its Implications
Authors: Tang Li , Ma Along , Zhang Cheng , Liu Xuguang , Jin Rongchao , Wang Shuxin
Published: June 2021

Bimetallic core–shell nanostructures hold great promise in elucidating the bimetallic synergism. However, it remains a challenge to construct atomically precise core–shell with high‐valence active metals on the gold surface. In this work, we report the total structure of a [Au42Cd40(SR)52]2− core–shell nanocluster and multiple implications. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) reveals that the structure possesses a two‐shelled Au6@Au36 core and a closed cadmium shell of Cd40, and the core–shell structure is then protected by 52 thiolate (‐SR) ligands. The composition of the nanocluster is further confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). A catalytic test for styrene oxidation and a comparison with relevant nanoclusters reveal the surface effect on the catalytic activity and selectivity.
A Primary Acyl Phosphine Stabilized by a Phosphonium Ylide
Authors: Petrone David A. , Szkop Kevin M. , Miao Linkun , St. Onge Piers , Qu Zheng‐Wang , Grimme Stefan , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: June 2021

Primary acyl‐phosphines are scarce in the literature. Here we show that the reaction of Ph3GePCO with the ylide Ph3PCH2proceeds to give the species Ph3PCHC(O)PH(GePh3)1. Deprotonation of1with Na[N(SiMe3)2] generates the salt [Na(THF)2][Ph3PCHC(O)P(GePh3)]2which provides subsequent access to thebis‐germanylated acylphosphine, Ph3PCHC(O)P(GePh3)23. Alternatively, treatment of1with HCl in dioxane affords the primary acylphosphine Ph3PCHC(O)PH24. Compound4is a rare example of an air stable primary acyl‐phosphines and the first devoid of a stabilizing heteroatom adjacent to the carbonyl fragment.
In Situ Implanting of Single Tungsten Sites into Defective UiO‐66(Zr) by Solvent‐Free Route for Efficient Oxidative Desulfurization at Room Temperature
Authors: Ye Gan , Wang Hanlu , Chen Wenxing , Chu Hongqi , Wei Jinshan , Wang Dagang , Wang Jin , Li Yadong
Published: June 2021

Design of single‐site catalysts with catalytic sites at atomic‐scale and high atom utilization, provides new opportunities to gain superior catalytic performance for targeted reactions. In this contribution, we report a one‐pot green approach for in situ implanting of single tungsten sites (up to 12.7 wt.%) onto the nodes of defective UiO‐66(Zr) structure via forming Zr‐O‐W bonds under solvent‐free condition. The catalysts displayed extraordinary activity for the oxidative removal of sulfur compounds (1000 ppm S) at room temperature within 30 min. The turnover frequency (TOF) value can reach 44.0 h−1 at 30 °C, which is 109.0, 12.3 and 1.2 times higher than that of pristine UiO‐66(Zr), WO3, and WCl6 (homogeneous catalyst). Theoretical and experimental studies show that the anchored W sites can react with oxidant readily and generate WVI‐peroxo intermediates that determine the reaction activity. Our work not only manifests the application of SSCs in the field of desulfurization of fuel oil but also opens a new solvent‐free avenue for fabricating MOFs based SSCs.
Visible‐Light‐Enabled Organocatalyzed Controlled Alternating Terpolymerization of Perfluorinated Vinyl Ethers
Authors: Quan Qinzhi , Ma Mingyu , Wang Zongtao , Gu Yu , Chen Mao
Published: June 2021

Polymerizations of perfluorinated vinyl ethers (PFVEs) provide an important category of fluoropolymers that have received considerable interests in applications. In this work, we report the development of an organocatalyzed controlled radical alternating terpolymerization of PFVEs and vinyl ethers (VEs) under visible‐light irradiation. This method not only enables the synthesis of a broad scope of fluorinated terpolymers of low dispersities and high chain‐end fidelity, facilitating tuning the chemical compositions by rationally choosing the type and/or ratio of comonomers, but also allows temporal control of chain‐growth, as well as the preparation of a variety of novel fluorinated block copolymers. To showcase the versatility of this method, fluorinated alternating terpolymers have been synthesized and customized to simultaneously display a variety of desirable properties for solid polymer electrolyte design, creating new opportunities in high‐performance energy storage devices.
Heteroleptic Ligation by an endo‐Functionalized Cage
Authors: Bete Sarah C. , Otte Matthias
Published: June 2021

A conceptual approach for the synthesis of quasi‐heteroleptic complexes with properly endo‐functionalized cages as ligands is presented. The cage ligand reported here is of a covalent organic nature, it has been synthesized via a dynamic combinatorial chemistry approach, making use of a masked amine. Inspired by enzymatic active sites, the described system bears one carboxylate and two imidazole moieties as independent ligating units through which it is able to coordinate to transition metals. Analysis of the iron(II) complex in solution and the solid state validates the structure and shows that no undesired but commonly observed dimerization process takes place. The solid‐state structure shows a five‐coordinate metal center with the carboxylate bidentately bound to iron, which makes Fe@2 an unprecedentedly detailed structural model complex for this kind of non‐heme iron oxygenases. As, as confirmed by the crystal structure, sufficient space for other organic ligands is available, the biologically relevant ligand α‐ketoglutarate is implemented. We observe biomimetic reaction behavior towards dioxygen that opens studies investigating Fe@2 as a functional model complex.
Polishing entire stems and roots using sandpaper under water: An alternative method for macroscopic analyses
Authors: Barbosa Antonio C. F. , Gerolamo Caian S. , Lima André C. , Angyalossy Veronica , Pace Marcelo R.
Published: June 2021

Premise

Polishing entire stem and root samples is an effective method for studying their anatomy; however, polishing fresh samples to preserve woods with soft tissues or barks is challenging given that soft tissues shrink when dried. We propose sanding fresh or liquid‐preserved samples under water as an alternative, given that it preserves all tissues in an intact and clear state.

Methods and Results

By manually grinding the surface of the samples under water using three ascending grits of waterproof sandpapers, an excellent polished sanded surface is obtained. The wood swarf goes into the water without clogging the cell lumina, rendering the surfaces adequate for cell visualization and description. We show results in palms, liana stems, roots, and wood blocks.

Conclusions

Using this simple, inexpensive, rapid technique, it is possible to polish either fresh, dry, or liquid‐preserved woody plant samples, preserving the integrity of both the soft and hard tissues and allowing for detailed observations of the stems and roots.
A bridge too far for artificial intelligence?: Automatic classification of stanzas in Spanish poetry
Authors: Pérez Pozo Álvaro , de la Rosa Javier , Ros Salvador , González‐Blanco Elena , Hernández Laura , de Sisto Mirella
Published: June 2021

The rise in artificial intelligence and natural language processing techniques has increased considerably in the last few decades. Historically, the focus has been primarily on texts expressed in prose form, leaving mostly aside figurative or poetic expressions of language due to their rich semantics and syntactic complexity. The creation and analysis of poetry have been commonly carried out by hand, with a few computer‐assisted approaches. In the Spanish context, the promise of machine learning is starting to pan out in specific tasks such as metrical annotation and syllabification. However, there is a task that remains unexplored and underdeveloped: stanza classification. This classification of the inner structures of verses in which a poem is built upon is an especially relevant task for poetry studies since it complements the structural information of a poem. In this work, we analyzed different computational approaches to stanza classification in the Spanish poetic tradition. These approaches show that this task continues to be hard for computers systems, both based on classical machine learning approaches as well as statistical language models and cannot compete with traditional computational paradigms based on the knowledge of experts.
Graphite Carbon Nitride and Its Composites for Medicine and Health Applications
Authors: Zhang Jie‐ran , Kan Yin‐shi , Gu Ling‐ling , Wang Cheng‐yin , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2021

With the progress of science and technology and the improvement of people‘s living standards, the performance of traditional materials can no longer fully meet the needs of social development. Graphitic phase carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), as a new type of nanomaterial, has good properties. Its unique graphite like structure and stable thermodynamic characteristics have led an increasing number of researchers to explore its diverse functions and use this as a basis to develop related energy and products for applications in various fields. Among them, applications in the field of medicine health have become popular in recent years. Therefore, this review summarizes the synthesis methods of g‐C3N4 and its composites, as well as their applications in food, medicine, environmental monitoring and disease treatment, in the hope of providing references and basis for further expanding the applications of g‐C3N4 in large health areas.
Targeted CHO cell engineering approaches can reduce HCP‐related enzymatic degradation and improve mAb product quality
Authors: Dovgan Tatiana , Golghalyani Vahid , Zurlo Fabio , Hatton Diane , Lindo Viv , Turner Richard , Harris Claire , Cui Tingting
Published: June 2021

Host cell proteins (HCP) that co‐purify with biologics produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells have been shown to impact product quality through proteolytic degradation of recombinant proteins, leading to potential product losses. Several problematic HCPs can remain in the final product even after extensive purification. Each recombinant cell line has a unique HCP profile that can be determined by numerous upstream and downstream factors, including clonal variation and the protein sequence of the expressed therapeutic molecule. Here, we worked with recombinant cell lines with high levels of copurifying HCPs, and showed that in those cell lines even modest downregulation (≤50%) of the difficult to remove HCP Cathepsin D, through stable short hairpin RNA interference or monoallelic deletion of the target gene using CRISPR‐Cas9, is sufficient to greatly reduce levels of co‐purifying HCP as measured by high throughput targeted LC‐MS. This reduction led to improved product quality by reducing fragmentation of the drug product in forced degradation studies to negligible levels. We also show the potential of cell engineering to target other undesired HCPs and relieve the burden on downstream purification.
Molecular genetic analysis of neural stem cells after space flight and simulated microgravity on earth
Authors: Han Yilin , Zeger Lukas , Tripathi Rekha , Egli Marcel , Ille Fabian , Lockowandt Christian , Florin Gunnar , Atic Edvin , Redwan Itedale N. , Fredriksson Robert , Kozlova Elena N.
Published: June 2021

Understanding how stem cells adapt to space flight conditions is fundamental for human space missions and extraterrestrial settlement. We analyzed gene expression in boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BCs), which are attractive for regenerative medicine by their ability to promote proliferation and survival of cocultured and co‐implanted cells. BCs were launched to space (space exposed cells) (SEC), onboard sounding rocket MASER 14 as free‐floating neurospheres or in a bioprinted scaffold. For comparison, BCs were placed in a random positioning machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity on earth (RPM cells) or were cultured under control conditions in the laboratory. Using next‐generation RNA sequencing and data post‐processing, we discovered that SEC upregulated genes related to proliferation and survival, whereas RPM cells upregulated genes associated with differentiation and inflammation. Thus, (i) space flight provides unique conditions with distinctly different effects on the properties of BC compared to earth controls, and (ii) the space flight exposure induces postflight properties that reinforce the utility of BC for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Determination of bupivacaine tissue concentration in human biopsy samples using high‐performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry
Authors: Istenič Simon , Cvetko Erika , Zabret Joži , Stopar Pintarič Tatjana , Umek Nejc
Published: June 2021

In the present study, we developed a simple and rapid analytical method for the quantification of bupivacaine hydrochloride in human biopsy samples of adipose, muscle, neural, connective and cartilage tissue using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Anesthetics were extracted from the tissue samples using 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile for protein denaturation and hexane for removal of lipophilic impurities. Analytes were separated adequately on Phenomenex Luna Omega polar C18 column using a gradient mobile phase 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. The lower limits of quantification were ≤ 97 ng g−1tissue for all studied tissues. Intra‐day recoveries were between 48.2% and 82.1% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 1.47% and 14.28%, whereas inter‐day recoveries were between 52.2% and 77.6% with RSDs between 2.98% and 14.79%. The calibration curve showed a linear fit with R2higher than 0.99 in the concentration range from 0.16 to 100 μg g−1. Lidocaine hydrochloride was tested as internal standard because its recoveries and matrix effects were comparable to bupivacaine hydrochloride. Post‐analytical corrections of measured bupivacaine tissue concentrations can accordingly be made based on recovery of lidocaine as internal standard, with recoveries between 51.2% and 86.9% and RSDs between 1.99% and 16.88%. The developed method could be used to study time‐dependent spread of bupivacaine locally or to more distant locations across tissue barriers.
Brain functional changes in patients with Crohn's disease: A resting‐state fMRI study
Authors: Li Lu , Ma Jie , Xu Jian‐Guang , Zheng Yan‐Ling , Xie Qian , Rong Lan , Liang Zong‐Hui
Published: June 2021

Background

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic recurrent intestinal inflammatory disease, often accompanied by poor adaptation and excessive stress response. However, the potential neurological mechanisms of these symptoms have not yet been studied in‐depth.

Objective

To investigate alterations in brain activity in patients with Crohn's disease and study the relationship between altered regions and clinical indices.

Methods

A total of 15 CD patients and 26 matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants underwent fMRI scans. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) assessed differences in spontaneous regional brain activity. Differences between the groups were selected as seeds for functional connectivity (FC) analyses. Correlations between disease duration and ALFF/ReHo/FC values in abnormal regions were analyzed.

Results

Patients with CD had significantly higher ALFF values in the left superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, and supplementary motor area, and lower values in the left hippocampus. They also had higher ReHo values in the left anterior cingulate cortex, supplementary motor area, putamen, and the bilateral superior frontal gyri. FC strength in the left precentral and middle temporal gyri was found to be increased when the left superior frontal gyrus was used as the seed point. FC strength was also observed to be increased in the left postcentral, middle frontal gyri, inferior frontal orbital cortex, and right rolandic operculum when the left anterior cingulate cortex was used as the seed point.

Conclusion

CD demonstrated abnormal neural activity and FC in various regions primarily associated with emotional, pain and cognitive‐related functions, which provides more information to further understand the neural mechanisms of the disease.
Psychometric properties of a patient‐reported outcome set in acute stroke patients
Authors: Philipp Rebecca , Lebherz Lisa , Thomalla Götz , Härter Martin , Appelbohm Hannes , Frese Marc , Kriston Levente
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Impairments after stroke may affect multiple domains of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) have proven valuable in measuring patients’ well‐being. We examine the psychometric properties of a standard set of PROMs assessing global health, anxiety, and depression, and functioning in a German health care setting.

Method

We included inpatients at the Department of Neurology at the University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, diagnosed with stroke. Following the stroke‐specific standard set of the International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement, we collected demographic and clinical information at baseline, and PROMs for global health (PROMIS‐10), three items for self‐reported functioning, anxiety, and depression (PHQ‐4) at 90 days follow‐up. We calculated confirmatory factor analyses to test factorial validity and correlation analyses to test construct validity. We further conducted item and reliability analyses.

Results

In a sample of 487 patients (mean age, SD: 71.1, 12.6; 47% female) with mild and moderate symptoms, model fit for the PROMIS‐10 was acceptable for the two‐factor and single‐factor models. Factor loadings ranged from 0.52 to 0.94. The postulated single‐factor model for functioning was saturated with zero degrees of freedom. Factor loadings ranged from 0.90 to 0.96. For the PHQ‐4, the two‐factor model showed excellent model fit. Factor loadings ranged from 0.78 to 0.87. Internal consistency was acceptable to good. Construct validity was generally confirmed.

Conclusions

The PROMIS‐10 is a valid and reliable instrument to measure HRQoL among German stroke patients. While the PHQ‐4 was confirmed as a screening measure for mental disorders, further research is needed on items assessing self‐reported functioning. Results are limited to patients showing minimal functional deficits.
Extent of white matter lesion is associated with early hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke related to atrial fibrillation
Authors: D'Anna Lucio , Filippidis Filippos T. , Harvey Kirsten , Marinescu Marilena , Bentley Paul , Korompoki Eleni , Veltkamp Roland
Published: June 2021

Background

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after stroke, related to atrial fibrillation (AF), is a frequent complication, and it can be associated with a delay in the (re‐)initiation of oral anticoagulation therapy. We investigated the effect of the presence and severity of white matter disease (WMD) on early HT after stroke related to AF.

Methods

A consecutive series of patients with recent (<4 weeks) ischemic stroke and AF, treated at the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit of the Imperial College London between 2010 and 2017, were enrolled. Patients with brain MRI performed 24–72 h from stroke onset and not yet started on anticoagulant treatment were included. WMD was graded using the Fazekas score.

Results

Among the 441 patients eligible for the analysis, 91 (20.6%) had any HT. Patients with and without HT showed similar clinical characteristics. Patients with HT had a larger diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) infarct volume compared to patients without HT (p < .001) and significant difference in the distribution of the Fazekas score (p = .001). On multivariable analysis, HT was independently associated with increasing DWI infarct volume (odd ratio (OR), 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.05; p < .001), higher Fazekas scores (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.47–2.57; p < .001) and history of previous intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.11–20.80; p = .036).

Conclusions

Presence and severity of WMD is associated with increased risk of development of early HT in patients with stroke and AF. Further evidence is needed to provide reliable radiological predictors of the risk of HT in cardioembolic stroke.
Sustainable finance and investment: Review and research agenda
Authors: Cunha Felipe Arias Fogliano de Souza , Meira Erick , Orsato Renato J.
Published: June 2021

Sustainable finance and investment (SFI) is key to fostering sustainable global development. Research in this field has focused on specific topics, such as the financial performance of sustainable investments and companies committed to sustainability. The SFI literature is excessively fragmented, rendering it difficult to identify what constitutes the field and what differentiates it from traditional finance and investment. Based on a systematic literature review of 166 articles, we map and integrate the main elements of the SFI field and identify the most relevant avenues for further research. In this process, we provide a definition of SFI; identify the main players in the field; and describe their profiles, strategies, and outcomes. We also propose a framework for understanding the SFI field and a research agenda. This agenda organizes the main SFI research questions and suggests suitable approaches to address them. We conclude that SFI players have worked together to promote positive social and environmental impacts through their financial and investment activities. However, the under‐theorization of the SFI concept, the traditional short‐term nature of financial logic, and the lack of evidence on the SFI impacts on society and the environment are the greatest challenges facing the field.
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) of Intracellular Transport by Means of Doubly Labelled siRNA Architectures
Authors: Doll Larissa , Lackner Jens , Rönicke Franziska , Nienhaus Gerd Ulrich , Wagenknecht Hans‐Achim
Published: June 2021

For monitoring the intracellular pathway of small interfering RNA (siRNA), both strands were labelled at internal positions by two ATTO dyes as an interstrand Förster resonance energy transfer pair. siRNA double strands show red emission and a short donor lifetime as readout, whereas siRNA antisense single strands show green emission and a long donor lifetime. This readout signals if GFP silencing can be expected (green) or not (red). We attached both dyes to three structurally different alkyne anchors by postsynthetic modifications. There is only a slight preference for the ribofuranoside anchors with the dyes at their 2’‐positions. For the first time, the delivery and fate of siRNA in live HeLa cells was tracked by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), which revealed a clear relationship between intracellular transport using different transfection methods and knockdown of GFP expression, which demonstrates the potential of our siRNA architectures as a tool for future development of effective siRNA.
A DFT Study on Heterogeneous Pt/CeO2(110) Single Atom Catalysts for CO Oxidation
Authors: Qin Yan‐Yang , Su Ya‐Qiong
Published: June 2021

Understanding strong metal‐support interactions is crucially important for developing atom‐efficient transition metal heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, we performed a density functional theory study of highly dispersed Pt on CeO2(110). Various surface models are compared in terms of thermodynamic stability, electronic properties and energy diagrams for CO oxidation. Pt prefers square‐planar oxygen coordination in all models with a +2 state. The structures with a single Pt atom exhibit a low CO oxidation activity. A higher activity is predicted by replacement of a surface Ce by two Pt atoms. The high activity of this highly stable structure stems from the coordinative unsaturation of one of the Pt atoms and the presence of a neighboring two‐fold O atom. The CO oxidation occurs via a Mars‐van Krevelen mechanism. A compared to single‐atom catalysts based on Pt in interaction with CeO2(111) emphasizes the strong dependence of catalytic activity on the ceria surface termination.
EduChain: A highly available education consortium blockchain platform based on Hyperledger Fabric
Authors: Liang Xiubo , Zhao Qian , Zhang Yanyu , Liu Hongyu , Zhang Qifei
Published: June 2021

With the problems of data sharing and information diddling in the field of education, we construct a highly available education consortium blockchain platform to ensure trusted sharing and privacy protection of education data. We employ erasure codes to process blockchain ledger files and optimize the data storage model according to the characteristics of education data, which can reduce the storage volume effectively. A HotStuff consensus algorithm is designed to access the ordering service of Hyperledger Fabric. A suitable educational blockchain network architecture based on the node complexity of education scenarios is proposed to achieve the high availability of the platform. To manage the education blockchain network, we implement the Fabric deployment based on Kubernetes and achieve the goal of including chaincode into Kubernetes environmental management. To improve the resource utilization of chaincode, we explore the new way of chaincode management by the functional computing service. Finally, on the premise of ensuring a 1/2 fault tolerance rate, the total ledger has decreased by 53.56%. Our platform enhanced the Byzantine fault tolerance while ensuring higher efficiency. Experimental results show that our platform is quite suitable for education scenario with many nodes.
Direct vs Indirect Grafting of Alkyl and Aryl Halides
Authors: Hetemi Dardan , Combellas Catherine , Kanoufi Frédéric , Podvorica Fetah I.
Published: June 2021

The direct and indirect electrochemical grafting of alkyl and aryl halides (RX, ArX) on carbon, metal and polymer surfaces is examined. Their electrochemical reduction occurs at highly negative potential in organic solvents and very often produces carbanions because the reduction potentials of RX and ArX are more negative than those of their corresponding radicals. Therefore, direct electrografting of alkyl and aryl radicals generated from RX and ArX is not easy to perform. This obstacle is overcome using aryl radicals derived from the 2,6‐dimethylbenzenediazonium salt (2,6‐DMBD), which do not react on the electrode surface due to their steric hindrance but react in solution by abstracting an iodine or bromine atom from RX (X=I, Br) or ArI to give alkyl or aryl radicals. As a consequence, alkyl and aryl radicals are generated at very low driving force by diverting the reactivity of aryl radicals derived from an aryl diazonium salt; they attack the electrode surface and form strongly attached organic layers. This strategy applies to the chemical modification of polymers (polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate) by alkyl halides under heating.
Comparison of preemptive ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and placebo administration in reducing peri‐ and postoperative pain in primary tooth extraction: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Raslan Nabih , Zouzou Toufic
Published: June 2021

Background

The management of pain resulting from anesthesia injection, tooth extraction and in the period after extraction is of great importance in pediatric dentistry.

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the preemptive administration of ibuprofen or acetaminophen with placebo in reducing the pain during injection, extraction and postoperatively in children undergoing primary tooth extraction.

Material and methods

A randomized, placebo‐controlled, triple‐blinded clinical trial of cooperative children who needed primary molar extraction by local anesthesia. Sixty‐six children aged between 6 and 8 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) Acetaminophen syrup (320 mg/10 ml); (b) placebo solution; and (c) ibuprofen syrup (200 mg/10 ml). Each of the three solutions was given 30 min before administration of the local anesthetic agent. The Pain level was assessed using the Wong–Baker faces® pain rating scale after injection, extraction, and postoperatively. The Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U test were used to evaluate the pain scores between groups at confidence level of 95%.

Results

The use of preemptive analgesics showed lower pain scores compared to placebo. Additionally, only ibuprofen significantly reduced pain scores compared to placebo at the points immediately after injection (p = 0.001), immediately after extraction (p = 0.0001) and 5 h after extraction (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Preemptive usage of ibuprofen reduces injection pain and relieves both extraction and postoperative pain in children undergoing primary tooth extraction.

What this paper or case report adds

It adds the knowledge regarding pain relief of injection and extraction in children.

Preemptive analgesic medications have a beneficial effect on alleviating postoperative pain following tooth extraction in children.

Ibuprofen is an effective analgesic for postoperative pain relief in children undergoing primary tooth extraction.

Why this paper or case report is important to pediatric dentists

Pediatric dentists may consider preemptive ibuprofen in children before injection and extractions.

Identifies that Ibuprofen is an effective method of reducing postoperative pain.