bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
« ARKK ! Mes élèves parlent en anglais ! » : réflexions sur trois parcours professionnels et personnels
Authors: Tang Monica , Forte Magali , Côté Isabelle
Published: November 2023

Dans le cadre de cet article, trois chercheuses-praticiennes partagent une réflexion développée lors d’une étude de soi menée dans le contexte universitaire de la formation initiale à l’enseignement du/en français en milieu minoritaire. À travers des vignettes autoethnographiques et en pensant avec la théorie de la perspective bilingue du bilinguisme, elles expliquent comment elles en sont arrivées à mieux comprendre leurs réactions respectives par rapport à l’utilisation de l’anglais dans des contextes d’éducation en français. En adoptant une démarche réflexive, notamment au sujet d’un sentiment intense d’aversion (« ARKK! ») ressenti lors du recours à l’anglais dans ces contextes d’éducation en français, les trois auteures expliquent comment elles ont réussi à mieux comprendre ce sentiment. C’est à travers leurs conversations entre amies critiques qu’elles ont notamment pu repenser leurs pratiques pédagogiques et les dynamiques internes d’une communauté professionnelle francophone hétérogène.
Transformation of the Jewish Cultural Code of Sefer in the Social Strata of the Shtetl
Authors: Kotliar Elena Romanovna , Zolotukhina Natal'ya Anatol'evna
Published: November 2023

The subject of the study is the transformation of the main Jewish cultural code of the Sefer -Book, from stratum to stratum in the culture of Jewish shtetls. Shtetls were called urban-type settlements in Eastern Europe - the Jewish pale of settlement. The Sefer code, originally embodying the foundations of Jewish law and worldview, the written and oral Torah, pointed to the path to the Almighty through its study. The perception of the rules within each stratum differed in a number of features: the Misnageds, as well as the Karaites and Krymchaks, had strict adherence to the laws, and the Hasidim had an emotional perception. With the advent of the Jewish Enlightenment-Haskalah, and later the globalization of the twentieth century, the Sefer code began to personify the light of knowledge as a whole, as the main goal, including both religious and secular sources. Education in the religious stratum was perceived as the knowledge of God and his creations, and in the atheistic environment - as an end in itself, remaining the main goal in all strata. The obtained research results can also be applied to ethnocultural studies of other ethnic groups. The study applied the method of historicism in retrospect of the functioning of the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, the comparative method in the comparative characteristics of cultural and religious concepts of various Jewish communities, methods of analysis and synthesis in the formulation of the scheme of cultural codes and their conjugations. The study for the first time characterizes the author's universal morphological scheme of Jewish cultural codes, from which the hierarchy and interrelationships of the main groups of symbols, as well as the key meanings and the main meaning, which is the center of intersection of all codes, are understood. Conclusions: 1. The cultural area of the Eastern European shtetl towns was distinguished by stable patterns associated with the compact residence of the Jewish population and traditional occupations, as well as a worldview based on the Jewish religion. After the disappearance of the shtetls due to globalization, the cultural and ideological foundation became the basis of the activity and thinking of scientists, literary and artistic figures who emerged from it. 2. The Sefer cultural code embodies not only the Torah and its derivatives, but also identifies the main goal - the acquisition of knowledge, which is the same for representatives of all social strata of the Shtetl - Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Jews, Karaites, Krymchaks, Misnageds, Hasidim, representatives of Haskalah, and later atheists and agnostics.
Synergistic current drive of helicon wave and lower hybrid wave in HL-2M
Authors: Liu Guan-Nan , LI Xin-Xia , Liu Hong-Bo , Sun Ai-Ping ,   School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China,   School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421001, China,   Southwest Institute of Physics , Chengdu 610041, China
Published: November 2023

Non-inductive current drive plays a crucial role in tokamak, especially for its steady state operations. Recently, the helicon wave (HW) has been regarded as a promising tool for driving off-axis plasma current in reactor-grade machine. The lower-hybrid wave (LHW) is the most effective radio-frequency current drive method, however, it has the drawback, which is limited by the conditions of wave accessibility in the high parameter tokamak, making the wave power usually damped at the plasma edge. HW can spiral towards the plasma centre directly under a high electron density. To obtain a long pulse steady state operation of reactor tokamak, the complementarity of HW and LHW in the aspect of driven current distribution in the high parameter tokamak is considered. The synergy current drive of the HW and the LHW is studied numerically in the steady-state scenario of HL-2M. According to the fast wave dispersion relation of plasma, the HW parameters, including its wave frequency and launched parallel refractive index, are obtained firstly. Results of GENRAY code simulation show that a single pass wave power absorption of the HW can be obtained generally through the electron Landau damping and transit time magnetic pumping effects. On the other hand, the LHW parameters are adopted from the equipped system on the machine. Results of single pass wave absorption are also obtained in the case of LHW. And then, the synergy effects of HW and LHW are studied numerically based on the GENRAY/CQL3D models. The cooperation of these two waves results in a broad plasma current distribution along the radial direction (\begin{document}$\rho = $\end{document}0.2－0.9) in the machine. Taking the electron distribution functions of these waves into account, it is clear that the electrons are accelerated by the HW in the parallel magnetic field direction, resulting in more electrons entering the region of LHW resonance area. As the consequence, a net plasma current appears. Furthermore, a fine-grained parametric scan is performed by changing the launched parallel refractive index of HW, and the results indicate that positive synergy effects can be generally observed once the related wave current drive profiles are overlapped. Finally, the synergy factor is shown to be proportional to this overlap and reaches its maximum value of 1.18 in HL-2M.
Cylicins are a structural component of the sperm calyx being indispensable for male fertility in mice and human
Authors: Schneider Simon , Kovacevic Andjela , Mayer Michelle , Dicke Ann-Kristin , Arévalo Lena , Koser Sophie A , Hansen Jan N , Young Samuel , Brenker Christoph , Kliesch Sabine , Wachten Dagmar , Kirfel Gregor , Strünker Timo , Tüttelmann Frank , Schorle Hubert
Published: November 2023

Cylicins are testis-specific proteins, which are exclusively expressed during spermiogenesis. In mice and humans, two Cylicins, the gonosomal X-linked Cylicin 1 (Cylc1/CYLC1) and the autosomal Cylicin 2 (Cylc2/CYLC2) genes, have been identified. Cylicins are cytoskeletal proteins with an overall positive charge due to lysine-rich repeats. While Cylicins have been localized in the acrosomal region of round spermatids, they resemble a major component of the calyx within the perinuclear theca at the posterior part of mature sperm nuclei. However, the role of Cylicins during spermiogenesis has not yet been investigated. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in zygotes to establish Cylc1- and Cylc2-deficient mouse lines as a model to study the function of these proteins. Cylc1 deficiency resulted in male subfertility, whereas Cylc2-/-, Cylc1-/yCylc2+/-, and Cylc1-/yCylc2-/- males were infertile. Phenotypical characterization revealed that loss of Cylicins prevents proper calyx assembly during spermiogenesis. This results in decreased epididymal sperm counts, impaired shedding of excess cytoplasm, and severe structural malformations, ultimately resulting in impaired sperm motility. Furthermore, exome sequencing identified an infertile man with a hemizygous variant in CYLC1 and a heterozygous variant in CYLC2, displaying morphological abnormalities of the sperm including the absence of the acrosome. Thus, our study highlights the relevance and importance of Cylicins for spermiogenic remodeling and male fertility in human and mouse, and provides the basis for further studies on unraveling the complex molecular interactions between perinuclear theca proteins required during spermiogenesis.
Measures of genetic diversification in somatic tissues at bulk and single cell resolution
Authors: Moeller Marius E. , Père Nathaniel V. Mon , Werner Benjamin , Huang Weini
Published: November 2023

Intra-tissue genetic heterogeneity is universal to both healthy and cancerous tissues. It emerges from the stochastic accumulation of somatic mutations throughout development and homeostasis. By combining population genetics theory and genomic information, genetic heterogeneity can be exploited to infer tissue organisation and dynamics
in vivo
. However, many basic quantities, for example the dynamics of tissue specific stem cells remain difficult to quantify precisely. Here we show that single cell and bulk sequencing data inform on different aspects of the underlying stochastic processes. Bulk derived variant allele frequency spectra (VAF) show transitions from growing to constant stem cell populations with age in samples of healthy oesophagus epithelium. Single-cell mutational burden distributions allow a sample size independent measure of mutation and proliferation rates. Mutation rates in adult haematopietic stem cells are higher compared to inferences during development, suggesting additional proliferation independent effects. Furthermore, single cell derived VAF spectra contain information on the number of tissue specific stem cells. In haematopiesis, we find approximately 2×10
5
HSCs, if all stem cells divide symmetrically. However, the single cell mutational burden distribution is over-dispersed compared to a model of Poisson distributed random mutations suggesting. A time-associated model of mutation accumulation with a constant rate alone cannot generate such a pattern. At least one additional source of stochasticity would be needed. Possible candidates for these processes may be occasional bursts of stem cell divisions, potentially in response to injury, or non-constant mutation rates either through environmental exposures or cell intrinsic variation.
Longer mandible or nose? Co-evolution of feeding organs in early elephantiforms
Authors: Li Chunxiao , Deng Tao , Wang Yang , Sun Fajun , Wolff Burt , Jiangzuo Qigao , Ma Jiao , Xing Luda , Fu Jiao , Zhang Ji , Wang Shi-Qi
Published: November 2023

The long-trunked elephantids underwent a significant evolutionary stage characterized by an exceptionally elongated mandible. The initial elongation and subsequent regression of the long mandible, along with its co-evolution with the trunk, present an intriguing issue that remains incompletely understood. Through comparative functional and eco-morphological investigations, as well as feeding preference analysis, we reconstructed the feeding behavior of major groups of longirostrine elephantiforms. In the
Platybelodon
clade, the rapid evolutionary changes observed in the narial region, strongly correlated with mandible and tusk characteristics, suggest a crucial evolutionary transition where feeding function shifted from the mandible to the trunk, allowing proboscideans to expand their niches to more open regions. This functional shift further resulted in elephantids relying solely on their trunks for feeding. Our research provides insights into how unique environmental pressures shape the extreme evolution of organs, particularly in large mammals that developed various peculiar adaptations during the late Cenozoic global cooling trends.
Early parafoveal semantic integration in natural reading
Authors: Pan Yali , Frisson Steven , Federmeier Kara D , Jensen Ole
Published: November 2023

Humans can read and comprehend text rapidly, implying that readers might process multiple words per fixation. However, the extent to which parafoveal words are previewed and integrated into the evolving sentence context remains disputed. We investigated parafoveal processing during natural reading by recording brain activity and eye movements using MEG and an eye tracker while participants silently read one-line sentences. The sentences contained an unpredictable target word that was either congruent or incongruent with the sentence context. To measure parafoveal processing, we flickered the target words at 60 Hz and measured the resulting brain responses (i.e. Rapid Invisible Frequency Tagging, RIFT) during fixations on the pre-target words. Our results revealed a significantly weaker tagging response for target words that were incongruent with the previous context compared to congruent ones, even within 100ms of fixating the word immediately preceding the target. This reduction in the RIFT response was also found to be predictive of individual reading speed. We conclude that semantic information is not only extracted from the parafovea but can also be integrated with the previous context before the word is fixated. This early and extensive parafoveal processing supports the rapid word processing required for natural reading. Our study suggests that theoretical frameworks of natural reading should incorporate the concept of deep parafoveal processing.
Deciphering the Genetic Code of Neuronal Type Connectivity: A Bilinear Modeling Approach
Authors: Qiao Mu
Published: November 2023

Understanding how different neuronal types connect and communicate is critical to interpreting brain function and behavior. However, it has remained a formidable challenge to decipher the genetic underpinnings that dictate the specific connections formed between pre- and post-synaptic neuronal types. To address this, we propose a novel bilinear modeling approach that leverages the architecture similar to that of recommendation systems. Our model transforms the gene expressions of mouse bipolar cells (presynaptic) and retinal ganglion cells (postsynaptic), obtained from single-cell transcriptomics, into a covariance matrix. The objective is to construct this covariance matrix that closely mirrors a connectivity matrix, derived from connectomic data, reflecting the known anatomical connections between these neuronal types. Our model successfully recaptiulates recognized connectivity motifs and provides interpretable insights into genetic interactions that shape the connectivity. Specifically, it identifies unique genetic signatures associated with different connectivity motifs, including genes important to cell-cell adhesion and synapse formation, highlighting their role in orchestrating specific synaptic connections between these neurons. Our work establishes an innovative computational strategy for decoding the genetic programming of neuronal type connectivity. It not only sets a new benchmark for single-cell transcriptomic analysis of synaptic connections but also paves the way for mechanistic studies of neural circuit assembly and genetic manipulation of circuit wiring.
Prothoracicotropic hormone controls female sexual receptivity through the function of ecdysone in pC1 neurons of Drosophila
Authors: Li Jing , Ning Chao , Liu Yaohua , Deng Bowen , Wang Bingcai , Shi Kai , Wang Rencong , Fang Ruixin , Zhou Chuan
Published: November 2023

Female sexual receptivity is essential for reproduction of a species. Neuropeptides play the main role in regulating female receptivity. However, whether neuropeptides regulate the establishment of neural circuits for female sexual receptivity is unknown. Here we found the peptide hormone prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), which belongs to the insect PG axis, regulated virgin female receptivity through ecdysone during neural maturation in
Drosophila melanogaster
. We identified PG neurons expressing PTTH as doublesex-positive neurons, they regulated virgin female receptivity before the metamorphosis during the 3
rd
-instar larval stage. Furthermore, the ecdysone receptor EcR-A in pC1 neurons regulated virgin female receptivity during metamorphosis. The reduced EcR-A in pC1 neurons induced abnormal morphological development of pC1 neurons without changing neural activity. Among all subtypes of pC1 neurons, the function of EcR-A in pC1b neurons was necessary for virgin female copulation rate. These suggested that the changes of synaptic connections between pC1b and other neurons decreased female copulation rate. Moreover, analysis of brain transcriptomes when EcR-A was reduced in pC1 neurons revealed that, additional genes were regulated downstream of EcR-A function in pC1 neurons. The PG axis has similar functional strategy as the HPG axis in mammals to trigger the juvenile–adult transition. Our work suggests a general mechanism underlying which the neurodevelopment during maturation regulates female sexual receptivity.
Optimization and Nutritional Analysis of Low Calorie Functional Shrikhand
Authors: Abirami K.  , Murugan B.  , Karthikeyan N.  , Nithyalakshmi V.
Published: November 2023

Shrikhand is a fermented dairy product and it is well-known in the western half of India's southern peninsula. The high sugar content of shrikhand contributes to total energy intake; carbohydrates are the food group that both dieters and diabetics are most limited from eating. An attempt was made to develop shrikhand by substituting sugar with aqueous extracts of stevia and liquorice, followed by the addition of guava pulp and aqueous extracts of dragon fruit peel at various levels. Initially, sugar of 40% of chakka weight was substituted by aqueous extracts of stevia and liquorice in four different ratios viz., 75:12.5:12.5(T1), 50:25:25(T2), 25:37.5:37.5(T3), 0:50:50(T4) of sugar to aqueous extracts of stevia and liquorice with control (T0) in the ratio of 100:0:0 and the low calorie shrikhand was optimized. Then it was followed by the addition of guava pulp at different concentrations viz., 5% (TG1), 10% (TG2), 15% (TG3), 20% (TG4) of chakka weight and aqueous extract of dragon fruit peel of 5% (TD1), 10% (TD2), 15% (TD3), 20% (TD4) of chakka weight to incorporate fibre and antioxidant properties in shrikhand respectively. Using a 9-point hedonic scale, sensory qualities (colour and appearance, body and texture, flavour and overall acceptability) of the developed product were evaluated by the semi-trained panels. As a result of sensory evaluation, the shrikhand with 50:25:25 ratio of sugar to aqueous extract of stevia and liquorice, 15% of guava pulp of chakka weight and 10% of aqueous extract of dragon fruit peel of chakka weight scored the highest overall acceptability of 8.13±0.26, 8.49±0.14 and 8.33±0.49  respectively. The mean ± SE values of moisture, total solids, protein, fat, fibre, total ash content, carbohydrates and energy of the control were 54.43±0.03, 47.57±0.02, 10.56±0.09, 13.14±0.02, 0, 0.98±0.01, 20.89±0.07 and 224.03±4.15 whereas the corresponding average values of the functional shrikhand were 67.61±0.05, 32.39±0.01, 11.21±0.04, 2.39±0.03, 5.78±0.09, 0.99±0.02, 12.02±0.05 and 96.43±3.26 respectively.
Determination of the Value of Color Doppler Ultrasound in Patients With a Clinical Suspicion of Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Kaandorp Branko I. , Raterman Hennie G. , Stam Frank , Gamala Mihaela , Meijer‐Jorna Lorine B. , Kalb Fraukje B. , Wallis Jos W.
Published: November 2023

Objective

It is urgent to diagnose giant cell arteritis (GCA) as quickly as possible to prevent irreversible blindness. The traditional gold standard for diagnosing GCA is temporal artery biopsy (TAB). However, TAB lacks diagnostic performance and carries out risks of surgical intervention. The noninvasive color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) seems to be a promising alternative. This study is designed to assess the diagnostic value of CDU in daily clinical practice.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, patients with a clinical suspicion of active GCA were included and underwent a CDU of the temporal arteries. If deemed necessary by the referrer, a TAB and/or 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography was performed. The retrospective clinical diagnosis was determined 1 year after inclusion by two physicians experienced in the field of vasculitis.

Results

242 patients were included and GCA was diagnosed in 73 (30%) patients by the defined retrospective clinical diagnosis. Compared with the retrospective diagnosis, CDU has a sensitivity of 60% (48–72), specificity of 94% (89–97), positive predictive value (PPV) of 81% (70–89), negative predictive value (NPV) of 85% (80–88), and an accuracy of 84% (78–88). A total of 84 (35%) patients underwent TAB. TAB has a sensitivity of 66% (51–79), specificity of 100% (90–100), PPV of 100% (100), NPV of 67% (58–75), and an accuracy of 80% (70–88).

Conclusion

This study shows comparable diagnostic performance for CDU and TAB and even better CDU results with a bilateral halo present. Considering the advantages of the noninvasive CDU, it is the diagnostic tool of choice.
Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar
Authors: Gasteiger Chiara , Lobo Maria , Stanley Robin , Wong Lun Shen , Murdoch Rachel , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: November 2023

Objective

Transitions to biosimilars are common to reduce the cost burden of biologics. While brand changes can be daunting for patients, few studies have explored patients’ experiences with the transitioning process. This study examined rheumatology patients’ experiences with a mandatory nationwide brand change to an adalimumab biosimilar.

Methods

People with rheumatic diseases involved in the adalimumab transition in Aotearoa New Zealand completed a nationwide online survey. Participants (n = 117, 48% with rheumatoid arthritis) reported their satisfaction with the biosimilar, logistics and supply, information and communication, and availability of support. They also reported what did and did not go well during the transition and provided recommendations for future transitions.

Results

The mean [SD] satisfaction score with the transition was 6.2 [3.2] on a 0‐10 scale, with 10 indicating high satisfaction. Participants were the least satisfied with the support and information from patient support organizations, and training for the device during the transition. Participants were most satisfied with the biosimilar supply, support from pharmacists, and how early they were informed before the transition occurred. After the transition, participants were less satisfied with the device quality, patient support program, biosimilar safety and efficacy, and the provision of alcohol wipes and sharps bins (p < 0.05 for all). Satisfaction with training for the biosimilar device (B = .25, p = .036) predicted overall satisfaction. Participants appreciated less injection pain and the ease of the biosimilar device. The lack of alcohol wipes and loss of the bio‐originator support program were viewed negatively.

Conclusion

Future biosimilar transitions should ensure the availability of alcohol wipes, sharps bins, and a comparable patient support program. Patient support organizations could be involved in providing information to patients about the change.
Decoding the Heterogeneity and Specialized Function of Translation Machinery Through Ribosome Profiling in Yeast Mutants of Initiation Factors
Authors: Wang Jia , Zhang Geyu , Qian Wenfeng , Li Ke
Published: November 2023

The nuanced heterogeneity and specialized functions of translation machinery are increasingly recognized as crucial for precise translational regulation. Here, high‐throughput ribosomal profiling (ribo‐seq) is used to analyze the specialized roles of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) in the budding yeast. By examining changes in ribosomal distribution across the genome resulting from knockouts of eIF4A, eIF4B, eIF4G1, CAF20, or EAP1, or knockdowns of eIF1, eIF1A, eIF4E, or PAB1, two distinct initiation‐factor groups, the “looping” and “scanning” groups are discerned, based on similarities in the ribosomal landscapes their perturbation induced. The study delves into the cis‐regulatory sequence features of genes influenced predominantly by each group, revealing that genes more dependent on the looping‐group factors generally have shorter transcripts and poly(A) tails. In contrast, genes more dependent on the scanning‐group factors often possess upstream open reading frames and exhibit a higher GC content in their 5′ untranslated regions. From the ribosomal RNA fragments identified in the ribo‐seq data, ribosomal heterogeneity associated with perturbation of specific initiation factors is further identified, suggesting their potential roles in regulating ribosomal components. Collectively, the study illuminates the complexity of translational regulation driven by heterogeneity and specialized functions of translation machinery, presenting potential approaches for targeted gene translation manipulation.
Anisotropic and High‐Mobility Electronic Transport in a Quasi 2D Antiferromagnet NdSb2
Authors: Singha Ratnadwip , Yuan Fang , Lee Scott B. , Villalpando Graciela V. , Cheng Guangming , Singh Birender , Sarker Suchismita , Yao Nan , Burch Kenneth S. , Schoop Leslie M.
Published: November 2023

Advancements in low‐dimensional functional device technology heavily rely on the discovery of suitable materials which have interesting physical properties as well as can be exfoliated down to the 2D limit. Exfoliable high‐mobility magnets are one such class of materials that, not due to lack of effort, has been limited to only a handful of options. So far, most of the attention has been focused on the van der Waals (vdW) systems. However, even within the non‐vdW, layered materials, it is possible to find all these desirable features. Using chemical reasoning, it is found that NdSb2 is an ideal example. Even with a relatively small interlayer distance, this material can be exfoliated down to few layers. NdSb2 has an antiferromagnetic ground state with a quasi 2D spin arrangement. The bulk crystals show a very large, non‐saturating magnetoresistance along with highly anisotropic electronic transport properties. It is confirmed that this anisotropy originates from the 2D Fermi pockets which also imply a rather quasi 2D confinement of the charge carrier density. Both electron and hole‐type carriers show very high mobilities. The possible non‐collinear spin arrangement also results in an anomalous Hall effect.
Direct Photolithography Patterning of Quantum Dot‐Polymer
Authors: Guo Weishu , Chen Jun , Ma Teng , Chen Ziyi , Li Mulin , Zeng Haibo , Lu Jian
Published: November 2023

For the new display technology based on quantum dots (QDs), achieving high‐precision red, green, and blue pixel arrays has always been a research focus in the pursuit of high‐quality and vivid image displays. However, problems such as material stability and process environment make it difficult to guarantee the quality of high‐precision patterns. The new optical patterning technology represented by direct photolithography is considered a highly promising method for achieving ultrafine patterns at the submicron level. This process prepares patterned quantum dot‐polymer films through light‐induced chemical changes. This paper reviews the progress of direct photolithography research focused on QD‐polymer materials and presents recent advances in such processes for monochromatic/multicolor light patterning. The article classifies QD‐polymers into three categories by combining QDs with polymers in different ways, including polymer‐coated QDs, polymers as QD ligands, and polymers as photocrosslinkers for QDs. Their synthesis schemes, functional features, and challenges are also presented. In addition, a scheme to remove the photomask during direct lithography using lasers and light field modulation is also proposed. It aims to provide readers and researchers with some generalized research information and improvement ideas. This can further advance the development of direct photolithography for QD‐polymers.
Triboelectric Nanogenerator Enabled Sweat Extraction and Power Activation for Sweat Monitoring
Authors: Xu Guoqiang , Huang Xingcan , Shi Rui , Yang Yawen , Wu Pengchen , Zhou Jingkun , He Xinxin , Li Jialin , Zen Yuyang , Jiao Yanli , Zhang Binbin , Li Jiyu , Zhao Guangyao , Liu Yiming , Huang Ya , Wu Mengge , Zhang Qiang , Yang Zhihui , Yu Xinge
Published: November 2023

Wearable sweat sensors can detect and monitor various substances in sweat, providing valuable information for healthcare monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Recent advances in flexible electronic technologies have enabled the development of wearable sweat sensors that can measure sweat rate and biochemical substances in real time, although several challenges remain, such as power management and sweat extraction issues. Here, a passive sweat extraction strategy as well as a self‐powered monitoring system (SEMS) is reported to be designed for sedentary individuals, i.e., elders. The SEMS system comprises a wearable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) for sweat extraction, a sweat‐activated battery (SAB) as the integrated power source, carbachol‐loaded iontophoresis electrodes for sweat extraction, microfluidics with biosensors for detecting physiological information in sweat, and near field communication (NFC)‐based wireless microelectronics for data communication, processing, and collection. By tapping the TENG, sedentary people can passively extract sweat based on the iontophoresis process, allowing the sensors to detect biological information in sweat. The good flexibility of the SEMS device enables real‐time and non‐invasive detection of sweat analytes in a wearable format. This system offers a new strategy of sweat collection and analysis for the elderly group, and therefore can help to understand human physiology and personalize health monitoring deeply.
Mechanism of Fast Storage of Li/Na in Complex Sb‐Based Hybrid System
Authors: Xiang Yinger , Hu Xinyu , Zhong Xue , Deng Wentao , Zou Guoqiang , Hou Hongshuai , Ji Xiaobo
Published: November 2023

Antimony（Sb） has high theoretical specific capacity and moderate reaction potential, but poor cycling stability and rate performance caused by large volume expansion and sluggish reaction kinetics limit its development in alkali‐ion batteries. The construction of carbon/Sb composites can solve this problem, but the traditional single carbon composite and poor Sb/carbon interface have limited promotion. Here, under the guidance of theoretical calculations, a strategy of hierarchical double carbon composite is proposed to enhance the performance of Sb anode, and systematically reveal the lithium/sodium ions (Li+/Na+) storage mechanism of Sb in complex composite system. Sb nanoparticles (Sb NPs) are encapsulated in carbon sphere matrix with strong interfacial chemical bond to form the first level composite material, and then the highly conductive and mechanically strong graphene is used as a three‐dimensional skeleton network to connect the first level composite to form the second level composite material. The hierarchical double carbon/Sb composite exhibits excellent rate (228 mAh g−1 @ 20 A g−1) and long cycling performance (373.7 mAh g−1 @ 2 A g−1 after 2200 cycles, capacity retention of 93.1%). This work may expand structural design and interface regulation of Sb/C composites and providing theoretical guidance for metal anodes development.
Living Cell‐Derived Intelligent Nanobots for Precision Oncotherapy
Authors: Zhou Liqiang , Li Kun , Liu Yingying , Zhang Rongjie , Yao Yangcheng , Chen Qiqing , Xie Dong , Zhang Xuanjun
Published: November 2023

The progress of precision oncology medicine is always limited by the tumor off‐targeting, the drug side effects, and the treatment inefficiency due to the complex and ever‐changing tumor microenvironment. Living cells, such as blood cells and immune cells, exhibit natural tumor tropism, controllable physicochemical modification, and excellent biocompatibility, which provide an advantageous pathway for innovative and efficient tumor suppression. Armed with nanoengineering techniques, artificial living cells harness their inherent biological properties to precisely identify and eradicate tumors, demonstrating broad biological application prospects and great transformational potential in personalized cancer therapy. Here, the recent advances of living cell‐based bionanobots including platelets, red blood cells, neutrophil, macrophage, and CAR‐T cells for cancer precision therapy and immune regulation are summarized, and the efficient anti‐tumor strategies for engineering living cell nanorobots to overcome complex biological barriers and immune suppression are also outlined (e.g., immunotherapy, sonodynamic therapy, chemo/radiotherapy, and phototherapy). In addition, the study discusses the advantages, limitations, and current challenges of artificial living cell‐based drug delivery systems, and provide perspectives on the future development of living cell‐mediated precision tumor nanomedicine.
Al‐doped ZnO‐Coated LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 Powder Electrodes: The Effect of a Coating Layer on The Structural and Chemical Stability of The Electrode / Electrolyte Interface
Authors: Makvandi Ardavan , Wolff Michael , Lobe Sandra , Heidrich Bastian , Peterlechner Martin , Gammer Christoph , Uhlenbruck Sven , Winter Martin , Wilde Gerhard
Published: November 2023

LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC‐111) is one of the most popular cathode materials in Li‐ion batteries. However, chemical and structural instabilities of the cathode/electrolyte interface at high charge cut‐off voltages cause capacity fading. Surface modifications using metal oxides are promising candidates to suppress capacity fading. Here a systematic study on the degradation mechanism of an uncoated NMC‐111 powder electrode is presented. Moreover, the effect of an Al‐doped ZnO (Al:ZnO) coating layer on the structural and chemical stabilities of NMC‐111 electrode cycled at high charge cut‐off voltages is analyzed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy as well as electrochemical testing. The coating is applied to commercial NMC‐111 powder using a microwave‐assisted sol‐gel synthesis method. In the case of uncoated NMC‐111 electrodes, pitting corrosion due to hydrofluoric acid attacking the electrode surface, cation mixing, and an irreversible phase transformation from a trigonal layered to a rock‐salt phase occurs, causing capacity fading. While, in the case of Al:ZnO – coated NMC‐111 electrodes, pitting corrosion, cation mixing, and the irreversible phase transformation are mitigated. Therefore, the capacity retention and rate capability are improved as the coating layer protects the electrode surface from the direct electrolyte exposure.
RETRACTED: Organic Cocrystal Design to Promote Absorption and Triplet Excitons Formation for Sensitive Scintillator
Authors: Lei Yutian , Peng Guoqiang , Xu Youkui , Wang Haoxu , Li ZhenHua , Jin Zhiwen
Published: November 2023

Organic materials show good mechanical flexibility, easy processing, and large‐area manufacturing, while weak X‐ray absorption and low sensitivity for X‐ray scintillator media. As seen originally, this is a synergistic result of the lack of heavy elements in the molecule that can effectively truncate X‐rays and the massive dissipation of triplet excitons produced by molecular ionization. Herein, cocrystal with phosphorescence enhancement is found to be brilliant in addressing the shortcomings of organic scintillators. The results show that heavy atoms can be easily introduce into the donor unit of organic cocrystal to satisfy the X‐ray absorption and effectively activate the triplet excitons via promoting intersystem crossing (ISC). Moreover, the rational structural design of the acceptor molecule can achieve coupling with the donor for inhibiting the non‐radiative loss of the triplet exciton. Finally, the preferred PNPA (4,4′‐Dibromobiphenyl and N‐phenylnaphthalen‐2‐amine) cocrystals achieve record X‐ray‐induce exciton utilization and emit bright phosphorescent light. Meanwhile, the related device shows durable radiation stability, spatial resolution (>11 lp mm−1), low detection limit (<0.6 µGyair s−1), and effective dynamic imaging application. Hence, it is believed the organic cocrystal‐designed principle can provide guidance to develop advanced sensitive X‐ray scintillators in the future.
Sub‐Nanoconfined Aggregation‐Induced Emission Molecules via Stacked Layers of Microtubular Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Fluorescence
Authors: Wang Qiyan , Han Dandan , Zhang Zhen , Rezayan Armin , Chen Sheng , Zhang Qidong , Dong Lin , Sun Junlu , Wei Ronghan , Wu Dan
Published: November 2023

Functionalizing aggregation‐induced emission molecules (AIEs) by confining them in porous materials is attracted extensive attention. Here stacked layers of hollow microtubular covalent organic frameworks (HT‐COFs) are introduced as sub‐nanoconfined sites (0.37 nm) to confine AIEs. The spacious hollow channels allow unimpeded entry for AIEs, while the interlayers perpendicular to the channels partially incarcerate the AIEs within the COFs layers. This effectively restricts the intramolecular rotation of AIEs and facilitates its radiative processes. Through exchanging of various AIEs, the versatility of the COFs interlayer as a restriction site is demonstrated. Furthermore, the sub‐nanoconfined fluorescence in AIEs@HT‐COFs displays reversible temperature dependence. Based on this, a temperature‐tunable fluorescent Micro‐QR code device is fabricated, wherein the encoded information disappears at a high‐temperature and reemerges at a low‐temperature. This work offers novel insights into confined fluorescence within functional materials and the fabrication of AIEs‐COF multiplex frameworks.
Epitaxy‐Directed Self‐Assembly of Copolymers and Polymer Blends
Authors: Hou Chunyue , Wang Junjie , Wang Peng , Cui Jiahui , Wang Shaojuan , Xin Rui , Li Huihui , Sun Xiaoli , Ren Zhongjie , Yan Shouke
Published: November 2023

Directed self‐assembly of materials into patterned structures is of great importance since the performance of them depends remarkably on their multiscale hierarchical structures. Therefore, purposeful structural regulation at different length scales through crystallization engineering provides an opportunity to modify the properties of polymeric materials. Here, an epitaxy‐directed self‐assembly strategy for regulating the pattern structures including phase structure as well as crystal modification and orientation of each component for both copolymers and polymer blends is reported. Owing to the specific crystallography registration between the depositing crystalline polymers and the underlying crystalline substrate, not only order phase structure with controlled size at nanometer scale but also the crystal structure and chain orientation of each component within the separated phases for both copolymers and polymer blend systems can be precisely regulated.
Perovskite Lanthanum‐Doped Barium Stannate: A Refractory Near‐Zero‐Index Material for High‐Temperature Energy Harvesting Systems
Authors: Kim Hyebi , Kim Geunpil , Jeon Young‐Uk , Lee Wonjun , Lee Byeong‐Hyeon , Kim In Soo , Lee Kwanil , Kim Soo Jin , Kim Jongbum
Published: November 2023

The recent interests in bridging intriguing optical phenomena and thermal energy management has led to the demonstration of controlling thermal radiation with epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) and the related near‐zero‐index (NZI) optical media. In particular, the manipulation of thermal emission using phononic ENZ and NZI materials has shown promise in mid‐infrared radiative cooling systems operating under low‐temperature environments (below 100 °C). However, the absence of NZI materials capable of withstanding high temperatures has limited the spectral extension of these advanced technologies to the near‐infrared (NIR) regime. Herein, a perovskite conducting oxide, lanthanum‐doped barium stannate (La:BaSnO3 [LBSO]), as a refractory NZI material well suited for engineering NIR thermal emission is proposed. This work focuses on the experimental demonstration of superior high‐temperature stability (of at least 1000 °C) of LBSO films in air and its durability under intense UV‐pulsed laser irradiation below peak power of 9 MW cm−2. Based on the low optical‐loss in LBSO, a selective narrow‐band thermal emission utilizing a metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) Fabry–Pérot nanocavity consisting of LBSO films as metallic component is demonstrated. This study shows that LBSO is an ideal candidate as a refractory NZI component for thermal energy conversion operating at high temperatures in air and under strong light irradiations.
Synthetic Collagen Hydrogels through Symmetric Self‐Assembly of Small Peptides
Authors: Tanrikulu I. Caglar , Dang Lianna , Nelavelli Lekha , Ellison Aubrey J. , Olsen Bradley D. , Jin Song , Raines Ronald T.
Published: November 2023

Animal‐sourced hydrogels, such as collagen, are widely used as extracellular‐matrix (ECM) mimics in tissue engineering but are plagued with problems of reproducibility, immunogenicity, and contamination. Synthetic, chemically defined hydrogels can avoid such issues. Despite the abundance of collagen in the ECM, synthetic collagen hydrogels are extremely rare due to design challenges brought on by the triple‐helical structure of collagen. Sticky‐ended symmetric self‐assembly (SESSA) overcomes these challenges by maximizing interactions between the strands of the triple helix, allowing the assembly of collagen‐mimetic peptides (CMPs) into robust synthetic collagen nanofibers. This optimization, however, also minimizes interfiber contacts. In this work, symmetric association states for the SESSA of short CMPs to probe their increased propensity for interfiber association are modelled. It is found that 33‐residue CMPs not only self‐assemble through sticky ends, but also form hydrogels. These self‐assemblies behave with remarkable consistency across multiple scales and present a clear link between their triple‐helical architecture and the properties of their hydrogels. The results show that SESSA is an effective and robust design methodology that enables the rational design of synthetic collagen hydrogels.
Multifunctional Cationic Hyperbranched Polyaminoglycosides that Target Multiple Mediators for Severe Abdominal Trauma Management
Authors: Xiao Yongqiang , Fang He , Zhu Yuefei , Zhou Jie , Dai Zhanzhan , Wang Hongxia , Xia Zhaofan , Tu Zhaoxu , Leong Kam W.
Published: November 2023

Trauma and its associated complications, including dysregulated inflammatory responses, severe infection, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), continue to pose lethal threats worldwide. Following injury, cell‐free nucleic acids (cfNAs), categorized as damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), are released from dying or dead cells, triggering local and systemic inflammatory responses and coagulation abnormalities that worsen disease progression. Harnessing cfNA scavenging strategies with biomaterials has emerged as a promising approach for treating posttrauma systemic inflammation. In this study, the effectiveness of cationic hyperbranched polyaminoglycosides derived from tobramycin (HPT) and disulfide‐included HPT (ss‐HPT) in scavenging cfNAs to mitigate posttrauma inflammation and hypercoagulation is investigated. Both cationic polymers demonstrate the ability to suppress DAMP‐induced toll‐like receptor (TLR) activation, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and hypercoagulation by efficiently scavenging cfNAs. Additionally, HPT and ss‐HPT exhibit potent antibacterial efficacy attributed to the presence of tobramycin in their chemical composition. Furthermore, HPT and ss‐HPT exhibit favorable modulatory effects on inflammation and therapeutic outcomes in a cecal ligation puncture (CLP) mouse abdominal trauma model. Notably, in vivo studies reveal that ss‐HPT displayed high accumulation and retention in injured organs of traumatized mice while maintaining a higher biodegradation rate in healthy mice, contrasting with findings for HPT. Thus, functionalized ss‐HPT, a bioreducible polyaminoglycoside, holds promise as an effective option to enhance therapeutic outcomes for trauma patients by alleviating posttrauma inflammation and coagulation complications.
Spider‐Silk‐Inspired Tough, Self‐Healing, and Melt‐Spinnable Ionogels
Authors: Sun Lijie , Huang Hongfei , Zhang Luzhi , Neisiany Rasoul Esmaeely , Ma Xiaopeng , Tan Hui , You Zhengwei
Published: November 2023

As stretchable conductive materials, ionogels have gained increasing attention. However, it still remains crucial to integrate multiple functions including mechanically robust, room temperature self‐healing capacity, facile processing, and recyclability into an ionogel‐based device with high potential for applications such as soft robots, electronic skins, and wearable electronics. Herein, inspired by the structure of spider silk, a multilevel hydrogen bonding strategy to effectively produce multi‐functional ionogels is proposed with a combination of the desirable properties. The ionogels are synthesized based on N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), N, N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA), and ionic liquids (ILs) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMI][TFSI]). The synergistic hydrogen bonding interactions between PNIPAM chains, PDMA chains, and ILs endow the ionogels with improved mechanical strength along with fast self‐healing ability at ambient conditions. Furthermore, the synthesized ionogels show great capability for the continuous fabrication of the ionogel‐based fibers using the melt‐spinning process. The ionogel fibers exhibit spider‐silk‐like features with hysteresis behavior, indicating their excellent energy dissipation performance. Moreover, an interwoven network of ionogel fibers with strain and thermal sensing performance can accurately sense the location of objects. In addition, the ionogels show great recyclability and processability into different shapes using 3D printing. This work provides a new strategy to design superior ionogels for diverse applications.
Mechanical Intercellular Communication via Matrix‐Borne Cell Force Transmission During Vascular Network Formation
Authors: Davidson Christopher D. , Midekssa Firaol S. , DePalma Samuel J. , Kamen Jordan L. , Wang William Y. , Jayco Danica Kristen P. , Wieger Megan E. , Baker Brendon M.
Published: November 2023

Intercellular communication is critical to the formation and homeostatic function of all tissues. Previous work has shown that cells can communicate mechanically via the transmission of cell‐generated forces through their surrounding extracellular matrix, but this process is not well understood. Here, mechanically defined, synthetic electrospun fibrous matrices are utilized in conjunction with a microfabrication‐based cell patterning approach to examine mechanical intercellular communication (MIC) between endothelial cells (ECs) during their assembly into interconnected multicellular networks. It is found that cell force‐mediated matrix displacements in deformable fibrous matrices underly directional extension and migration of neighboring ECs toward each other prior to the formation of stable cell‐cell connections enriched with vascular endothelial cadherin (VE‐cadherin). A critical role is also identified for calcium signaling mediated by focal adhesion kinase and mechanosensitive ion channels in MIC that extends to multicellular assembly of 3D vessel‐like networks when ECs are embedded within fibrin hydrogels. These results illustrate a role for cell‐generated forces and ECM mechanical properties in multicellular assembly of capillary‐like EC networks and motivates the design of biomaterials that promote MIC for vascular tissue engineering.