bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silicon Nanowires Driving Miniaturization of Microelectromechanical Systems Physical Sensors: A Review
Authors: Karimzadehkhouei Mehrdad , Ali Basit , Jedari Ghourichaei Masoud , Alaca Burhanettin Erdem
Published: April 2023

The miniaturization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) physical sensors is driven by global connectivity needs and is closely linked to emerging digital technologies and the Internet of Things. Strong technical advantages of miniaturization such as improved sensitivity, functionality, and power consumption are accompanied by significant economic benefits due to semiconductor manufacturing. Hence, the trend to produce smaller sensors and their driving force resemble very much those of the miniaturization of integrated circuits (ICs) as described by Moore's law. In this respect, with its IC‐, and MEMS‐compatibility, and scalability, the silicon nanowire is frequently employed in frontier research as the sensor building block replacing conventional sensors. The integration of the silicon nanowire with MEMS has thus generated a multiscale hybrid architecture, where the silicon nanowire serves as the piezoresistive transducer and MEMS provide an interface with external forces, such as inertial or magnetic. This approach has been reported for almost all physical sensor types over the last decade. These sensors are reviewed here with detailed classification. In each case, associated technological challenges and comparisons with conventional counterparts are provided. Future directions and opportunities are highlighted.
Laser‐Triggered Degradation of Silicon Circuits by Lithiation and Moisture Uptake for On‐Demand Transient Electronics
Authors: Liu Shengnan , Wang Xibo , Liu Shangbin , Deng Yuping , Zhao Bochen , Wang Huachun , Sheng Xing , Zhao Lingyun , Wang Liu , Zhang Peijian , Yin Lan
Published: April 2023

Data security risks of unauthorized access of confidential information have attracted considerable attention. Transient electronics capable of physical disappearance or disintegration upon external stimuli could potentially offer an alternative solution at the device level. Despite great advances, smart, efficient, wireless, and nonrecoverable degradation of foundry‐compatible silicon (Si)‐integrated circuit (IC) chips remains a challenge. Herein, a laser‐triggered degradation of Si circuits by lithiation and moisture uptake is proposed. By integrating IC chips with a small amount of lithium sources and a fluidic reservoir consisting of hygroscopic materials, on‐demand, wireless, rapid, and complete degradation of Si IC chips built at 600 nm node is achieved upon activation by laser irradiation. This work paves a new route to accomplish smart, tether‐free, and thorough degradation of devices compatible with existing foundry processes, offering an essential baseline for the development of intelligent transient electronics for secured hardware.
Disordered Graphene/Quartz Fabric as Biocompatible and Conductive Scaffold Promising for Regulated Growth and Differentiation of Nerve Cells
Authors: Gong Qian , Hong Jing , Ren Ming , Shen Zongjie , Zhu Siqi , Hao Ying , Zhu Zhanchi , Li Li , Kang Lixing , Di Jiangtao , Cheng Guosheng , Li Qingwen
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, the use of topographical features and electrical conductivity of scaffolds at the cell‐substrate interface for effectively regulating cell growth and differentiation have gained increasing attention due to great demands for tissue engineering. Herein, a facile approach to the growth of highly disordered graphene nanosheets (HDGNs) is demonstrated on a cheap and weaving quartz‐braided structure as a functionalized scaffold for the differentiation of nerve cells. The patterned aligned structure can effectively integrate the advantages of a conductive graphene‐functional interface (favorable for cell attachment and growth), topologically woven surface structure, providing a flexible and multifunctional regulatory platform for nerve cell growth. Compared with monocrystal polycrystalline graphene, amorphous graphene has high biocompatibility due to sufficient active sites, and has high conductivity to the composite nonconductive substrate, which can realize electrical stimulation (ES) of cell differentiation. Herein, the HDGN/quartz fabric with high biocompatibility (the cell viability is 98%), and great electrical conductivity, is proved. Then, the applied ES coupled with HDGN/quartz fabric significantly enhances selective neuronal differentiation into neurons (the differentiation growth rate is 131%). Collectively, herein, a new material basis is provided for electric induction of cell growth and differentiation, providing more possibilities for the development of intelligent biological applications.
Self‐Reinforced Hydrogel‐Based Skin‐Contactable Flexible Electronics for Multimodal Electrophysiological Signal Monitoring and Emergency Alarming System
Authors: Liu Rongjun , Wang Tengjiao , Li Gangfeng , Fan Zhuoyao , Zhou Qian , Wang Kun , Li Peng , Huang Wei
Published: April 2023

Inherently tissue‐like feature and multifunctional property of hydrogels make themself excellent materials for flexible electronics. However, conventional hydrogels with insufficient mechanical strength and poor fatigue resistance are damaged or lose service stability when subjected to alternating stress. Herein, self‐reinforced hydrogels are fabricated from elaborately designed ionic conductive hydrogels after repetitive sweat soak‐dehydration (SSD) treatment. The tensile strength of self‐reinforced hydrogels is improved to 930 from 480 kPa and exhibits insensitivity to crack propagation in any direction after 6 SSD treatment cycles. In addition, the self‐reinforced hydrogels show excellent skin friendliness compared with commercial wearable materials in a skin‐compatibility mouse model. Bringing together those advantages, various skin‐contactable flexible electronics are fabricated utilizing the self‐reinforced hydrogels and an emergency alarming system for acute myocardial infarction caused cardiogenic shock is also integrated that is expected to help potential patients in accidents.
Giant Anomalous Hall and Nernst Conductivities in Magnetic All‐d Metal Heusler Alloys
Authors: Tanzim Mohammad Farhan , Fortunato Nuno , Samathrakis Ilias , Xie Ruiwen , Opahle Ingo , Gutfleisch Oliver , Zhang Hongbin
Published: April 2023

All‐d Heuslers are a category of novel compounds combining versatile functionalities such as caloric responses and spintronics with enhanced mechanical properties. Despite the promising transport properties (anomalous Hall (AHC) and anomalous Nernst (ANC) conductivities) shown in the conventional Co2XY Heuslers with p‐d hybridization, the all‐d Heuslers with only d‐d hybridization open a new horizon to search for new candidates with outstanding transport properties. In this work, the AHC and ANC are evaluated for thermodynamically stable ferro/ferri‐magnetic all‐d‐metal regular Heusler compounds based on high‐throughput first‐principles calculations. It is observed that quite a few materials exhibit giant AHCs and ANCs, such as cubic Re2TaMn with an AHC of 2011 S cm‐1, and tetragonal Pt2CrRh with an AHC of 1966 S cm‐1 and an ANC of 7.50 A m‐1K‐1. Comprehensive analysis on the electronic structure reveals that the high AHC can be attributed to the occurrence of the Weyl nodes or gapped nodal lines in the neighborhood of the Fermi level. The correlations between such transport properties and the number of valence electrons are also thoroughly investigated, which provides a practical guidance to tailor AHC and ANC via chemical doping for transverse thermoelectric applications.
Modular Design for Versatile Broadband Polarizing Metasurfaces with Freely Switching Functions
Authors: Song Kun , Gong Xuejian , Cao Yunshan , Chen Qiang , Ji Ruonan , Liu Yahong , Zhao Xiaopeng , Zhou Jiangfeng , Navarro‐Cía Miguel
Published: April 2023

Polarization is a fundamental property of electromagnetic waves that plays a key role in many physical phenomena and applications. Schemes to manipulate it are revisited with the emergence of metasurfaces, which have brought multi‐functionalities straightforwardly. However, this has come at the expense of design complexity that relies strongly on field theory. Here, an ingenious strategy of modular design is proposed to construct subwavelength multifunctional polarization control devices. Chiral metasurfaces with different handedness are first proposed and regarded as modules. The versatile polarization controller can thus be obtained with the combination of different modules. These experiments demonstrate that the well‐designed polarization controller possesses reconfigurable functionality, and various broadband polarization and amplitude regulation functions with high efficiency including arbitrary linear polarization rotation, asymmetric transmission effect, neutral‐density‐like filter, polarization beam splitter, etc., can be readily realized just by changing the cascaded modules. The physical mechanisms of the versatile polarization controller and chiral metasurface modules are both guaranteed by the Fabry–Pérot‐like resonances, which are theoretically verified via the transfer matrix method. It is envisioned that the modular concept will be of great benefit to designing compact multifunctional polarization controllers.
Garnet Electrolyte‐Based Integrated Architecture for High‐Performance All‐Solid‐State Lithium‐Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Gu Zhi , Xin Xing , Xu Zelin , He Jun , Wu Jinghua , Sun Yong , Yao Xiayin
Published: April 2023

All‐solid‐state lithium‐oxygen (Li‐O2) battery is considered to be a promising next‐generation energy storage system to address the issues related to low specific capacity, unsafety and unstable electrochemistry that exist in conventional liquid Li‐O2 batteries. However, current solid‐state Li‐O2 batteries still encounter the challenge of high impedance at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In addition, the deficiency of triple‐phase boundaries (containing Li+, e− and O2) limits the active sites for electrochemical reaction in the battery cathode. Herein, an integrated architecture based on a garnet electrolyte Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) and a porous composite cathode for high‐performance all‐solid‐state Li‐O2 batteries is developed. The unique internal structure effectively reduces the interfacial impedance of the battery, provides a large number of active sites at triple‐phase boundaries and increases the electrochemical stability. As a result, the obtained batteries can deliver a superior high full discharge capacity of 13.04 mA h cm−2 and an excellent cyclic performance (86 cycles). In addition, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations further demonstrate the effectiveness of this design in enhancing the interfacial performance, electrochemical performance, and stability of the battery. This study is thus expected to facilitate practical applications for truly all‐solid‐state Li‐O2 batteries, and even for other systems of metal‐oxygen (air) batteries.
Simultaneous CO2and H2O Activation via Integrated Cu Single Atom and N Vacancy Dual‐Site for Enhanced CO Photo‐Production
Authors: Duan Youyu , Wang Yang , Zhang Weixuan , Zhang Jiangwei , Ban Chaogang , Yu Danmei , Zhou Kai , Tang Jinjing , Zhang Xu , Han Xiaodong , Gan Liyong , Tao Xiaoping , Zhou Xiaoyuan
Published: April 2023

Photocatalytic conversion of CO2into fuels using pure water as the proton source is of immense potential in simultaneously addressing the climate‐change crisis and realizing a carbon‐neutral economy. Single‐atom photocatalysts with tunable local atomic configurations and unique electronic properties have exhibited outstanding catalytic performance in the past decade. However, given their single‐site features they are usually only amenable to activations involving single molecules. For CO2photoreduction entailing complex activation and dissociation process, designing multiple active sites on a photocatalyst for both CO2reduction and H2O dissociation simultaneously is still a daunting challenge. Herein, it is precisely construct Cu single‐atom centers and two‐coordinated N vacancies as dual active sites on CN (Cu1/N2CV‐CN). Experimental and theoretical results show that Cu single‐atom centers promote CO2chemisorption and activation via accumulating photogenerated electrons, and the N2CV sites enhance the dissociation of H2O, thereby facilitating the conversion from COO* to COOH*. Benefiting from the dual‐functional sites, the Cu1/N2CV‐CN exhibits a high selectivity (98.50%) and decent CO production rate of 11.12 µmol g−1 h−1. An ingenious atomic‐level design provides a platform for precisely integrating the modified catalyst with the deterministic identification of the electronic property during CO2photoreduction process.
Non‐Interpenetrated 3D Covalent Organic Framework with Dia Topology for Au Ions Capture
Authors: Liu Minghao , Kong Hui‐Yuan , Bi Shuai , Ding Xuesong , Chen George Zheng , He Jun , Xu Qing , Han Bao‐Hang , Zeng Gaofeng
Published: April 2023

The 3D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique structural characteristics. However, most of 3D COFs have interpenetration phenomena, which will result in decreased surface area and porosities, and thus limited their applications in molecular/gas capture. Developing 3D COFs with non‐fold interpenetration is challenging but significant because of the existence of non‐covalent interactions between the adjacent nets. Herein, a new 3D COF (BMTA‐TFPM‐COF) with dia topology and non‐fold interpenetration for Au ion capture is first demonstrated. The constructed COF exhibits a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 1924 m2 g−1, with the pore volume of 1.85 cm3 g−1. The high surface area and abundant cavities as well as the abundant exposed CN linkages due to the non‐interpenetration enable to absorb Au3+ with high capacity (570.18 mg g−1), selectivity (99.5%), and efficiency (68.3% adsorption of maximum capacity in 5 min). This work provides a new strategy to design 3D COFs for ion capture.
Microfluidic Templated Stem Cell Spheroid Microneedles for Diabetic Wound Treatment
Authors: Wu Xiangyi , Huang Danqing , Xu Ye , Chen Guopu , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: April 2023

Wound dressing patches based on stem cells have demonstrated promising potential in the treatment of diabetic wounds, while their capabilities in the maintenance of cell stemness, effective exchange of cellular substance, and precise targeting of the stem cells remain to be promoted. Here, a novel stem cell spheroid loaded microneedle (MN@SPs) patch is presented using microfluidic templating technology. By leveraging the precise fluid manipulation capabilities of the microfluidic template, stem cell spheroids (SPs) with uniform size can be generated in situ. The resulting SPs exhibit advanced viability and cell functions, as evidenced by the overexpressed genes related to extracellular matrix organization and angiogenesis. By loading these SPs into the microneedles (MNs), the platform enables the precise delivery and exchange of multiple active substances, which contribute to advanced neovascularization, collagen deposition, and tissue reconstruction of diabetic wounds. Overall, this microfluidic‐engineered stem cell therapy platform demonstrates significant promise in promoting wound healing.
Supramolecular Ionogels Tougher than Metals
Authors: Li Weizheng , Li Lingling , Liu Ziyang , Zheng Sijie , Li Qingning , Yan Feng
Published: April 2023

Common natural and synthetic high‐strength materials (such as rubber, plastics, ceramics, and metals) undergo the occurrence of poor deformability. Achieving high strength and large deformation simultaneously is a huge challenge. Herein, high‐strength ionogels are developed through the synergy of force‐induced crystallization and halometallate ionic liquid created supramolecular ionic networks. The prepared poly(vinyl alcohol)/halometallate ionic liquid ionogels show excellent mechanical properties, including ultimate fracture stress (63.1 ± 2.1 MPa), strain (5248 ± 113%), and unprecedented toughness (1947 ± 52 MJ m−3), which is much higher than that of most metals and alloys. Furthermore, the ionogels can achieve reversibility by water to realize green recovery and restoration of damaged mechanical properties.
Post‐Maturation Reinforcement of 3D‐Printed Vascularized Cardiac Tissues
Authors: Silberman Eric , Oved Hadas , Namestnikov Michael , Shapira Assaf , Dvir Tal
Published: April 2023

Despite advances in biomaterials engineering, a large gap remains between the weak mechanical properties that can be achieved with natural materials and the strength of synthetic materials. Here, a method is presented for reinforcing an engineered cardiac tissue fabricated from differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and an extracellular matrix (ECM)‐based hydrogel in a manner that is fully biocompatible. The reinforcement occurs as a post‐fabrication step, which allows for the use of 3D‐printing technology to generate thick, fully cellularized, and vascularized cardiac tissues. After tissue assembly and during the maturation process in a soft hydrogel, a small, tissue‐penetrating reinforcer is deployed, leading to a significant increase in the tissue's mechanical properties. The tissue's robustness is demonstrated by injecting the tissue in a simulated minimally invasive procedure and showing that the tissue is functional and undamaged at the nano‐, micro‐, and macroscales.
Oxide Supported Cobalt Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation to Hydrocarbons: Recent Progress
Authors: Scarfiello Canio , Pham Minh Doan , Soulantica Katerina , Serp Philippe
Published: April 2023

Carbon capture and utilization represents a promising strategy to meet the global energy and climate goals. Under specific conditions, CO2 catalytic hydrogenation with renewable H2 can transform waste CO2 into a chemical feedstock for added‐value energy carriers and chemicals. CO2‐Fischer–Tropsch synthesis‐based‐hydrocarbons should contribute to the creation of a circular carbon economy with a significant impact on anthropogenic emission into the atmosphere. This review summarizes the progress achieved toward the single‐step hydrogenation of CO2 to long‐chain hydrocarbons over oxide‐supported Co‐based catalysts. Mechanistic aspects are discussed in relation to thermodynamic and kinetic limitations. The main parameters that must be taken into consideration to increase the activity and the selectivity toward compounds of two or more carbon atoms (C2+) are discussed in detail: cobalt active phase, support and metal‐support interfaces, and promoters. Finally, particular focus is dedicated to the role of reducible oxide supports and their surface defects on the activation of CO2, as well as on the regulation and evolution of metal‐support interactions.
Electrical and Optical Modulation of a PEDOT:PSS‐Based Electrochemical Transistor for Multiple Neurotransmitter‐Mediated Artificial Synapses
Authors: Matrone Giovanni Maria , Bruno Ugo , Forró Csaba , Lubrano Claudia , Cinti Stefano , van de Burgt Yoeri , Santoro Francesca
Published: April 2023

Neuromorphic systems that display synaptic conditioning based on biochemical signaling activity have recently been introduced in the form of artificial synapses that are model devices to develop tissue‐interfaced platforms. In this regard, biohybrid synapses promise adaptive neuron‐integrated functions. However, these systems suffer from both molecular cross‐talk as biological neural circuits signal transmission typically involves more than one neuromodulator, and unstable electronics wirings as complex architectures are required to interface the tissues. Moreover, whilst novel spiking circuits can work as artificial neurons, they only recreate the biological electrical signaling pathway while electrochemical signal transduction is required for inter‐neuron communication. As such, artificial chemically‐mediated synapses are essential to perform memory/learning computing functions. Herein, an electrochemical neuromorphic organic device (ENODe) working as an artificial synapse that overcomes electrochemical and readout interferences while it emulates two neurotransmitters synaptic weight modulation and their recycling machinery at the synaptic cleft is shown. Neuronal short‐ and long‐term plasticity are replicated by transducing two separate neurotransmitter‐mediated chemical signals into reversible and nonreversible variations of PEDOT:PSS conductance. By exploiting the electrochromic properties of PEDOT:PSS, an alternative optical monitoring strategy is introduced which promises stable multidevice readout from complex bio‐hybrid interfaces. The platform emulates high‐order biological processes such as intrinsic forgetting, memory consolidation, and neurotransmitter co‐modulation. These brain‐inspired functionalities herald the development of tissue‐integrated neuromorphic systems that combine spiking (electrical neurons) and nonspiking (electrochemical synapses) elements, thus envisioning prosthetic bridges for neural engineering and regenerative medicine.
Excitation‐Dependent Long Afterglow Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence Material Activated by Doping Boric Acid Matrix
Authors: Deng Junjie , Guan Zhihao , Fu Donglei , Zheng Yuewei , Chen Zhengjie , Li Houbin , Liu Xinghai
Published: April 2023

Room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials are normally prepared by doping guest materials into space‐limited host materials to inhibit nonradiative decay. This work aims to prepare a long afterglow excitation‐dependent emission RTP material by doping a small amount of 4‐carboxyphenylboronic acid into the boric acid matrix, followed by heat‐treating. The calculation of density functional theory shows that the electron cloud distribution and electron transfer trend of the selected material reduces the energy requirement to excite the RTP properties of the obtained materials. The obtained RTP materials can be excited by UV light at 310 and 365 nm for dark blue and green phosphorescence emission, respectively. The results demonstrate the long phosphorescence lifetimes of 1.97 and 0.62 s and the high absolute photoluminescence quantum yields of 17.4% and 15.6%. These results show that the obtained RTP materials have potential prospects as information coding and phosphorescent anti‐counterfeiting.
Recent Progress in Synthetic Applications of Cyclic Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents
Authors: Yoshimura Akira , Saito Akio , Zhdankin Viktor V.
Published: April 2023

Hypervalent iodine compounds have found broad application in modern organic chemistry as reagents and catalysts. Cyclic hypervalent iodine reagents based on the benziodoxole heterocyclic system have higher stability compared to their acyclic analogues, which makes possible the preparation and safe handling of the reagents with special ligands such as azido, cyano, and trifluoromethyl groups. Numerous iodine‐substituted benziodoxole derivatives have been prepared and utilized as reagents for transfer of the substituent on hypervalent iodine to organic substrate. Reactions of these reagents with organic substrates can be performed under metal‐free conditions, in the presence of transition metal catalysts, or using photocatalysts under photoirradiation conditions. In this review, we focus on the most recent synthetic applications of cyclic hypervalent iodine(III) reagents with the following ligands: N3, NHR, CN, CF3, SCF3, OR, OAc, ONO2, and C(=N2)CO2R. The review covers literature published mainly in the last 5 years.
3D Printed Electromyography Sensing Systems
Authors: Su Haotian , Moeinnia Hadi , Kim Woo Soo
Published: April 2023

Electromyography (EMG) has been widely used in robotics and biomedical applications for sensing and diagnostic purposes. Because of the complex shape of human limbs and the uneven and flexible surface of the human skin, EMG sensing often faces the challenge of stable signal detection. As manufacturing technology advances, additive manufacturing has shown its potential to improve the existing EMG sensing system further. 3D printing technologies offer the advantage of custom fabrication to fit the designated locations of EMG detection. 3D printing also provides flexible and stretchable features, which allow for a comfortable user experience. This paper presents the recent development of novel 3D‐printed EMG sensing systems. The process of EMG signal detection is compared with the standard system. The corresponding applications with 3D‐printed sensing systems in different fields of study are also discussed. Finally, by reviewing the state‐of‐the‐art technology, the future of 3D printing in EMG sensing and the challenges facing the field are discussed.
MXene/TPU Composite Film for Humidity Sensing and Human Respiration Monitoring
Authors: Liu Tianqing , Qu Danyao , Guo Lihao , Zhou Gandong , Zhang Guangjian , Du Tao , Wu Weiwei
Published: April 2023

Human respiration reflects abundant physiological information and could enable non‐invasive monitoring, providing information about various biological parameters such as respiration rate and depth. The rapidly growing field of humidity sensors bring forward the requirement for good performance. In this work, by virtue of good hydrophilicity and conductivity, a MXene/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite film is prepared by coating MXene nanosheets on chitosan‐modified TPU electrospun nanofibers via electrostatic interactions, for fabricating a humidity sensor. Based on the principle that the tunnel resistance changing with water molecules influences the distance of MXene nanosheets, the MXene/TPU humidity sensor exhibits fast response (12 s), wide humidity response range (11–94% RH), low hysteresis (<7% RH), and excellent repeatability. The humidity sensor can be assembled with a face mask for distinguishing different human respiration patterns and accurately monitoring respiratory signals during different physical activities, suggesting its promising applications in the fields of respiratory monitoring.
Allosteric Activation of Transglutaminase 2 via Inducing an “Open” Conformation for Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Yang Zhuo , Zhang Xiao‐Wen , Zhuo Fang‐Fang , Liu Ting‐Ting , Luo Qian‐Wei , Zheng Yong‐Zhe , Li Ling , Yang Heng , Zhang Yi‐Chi , Wang Yan‐Hang , Liu Dan , Tu Peng‐Fei , Zeng Ke‐Wu
Published: April 2023

Osteoblasts play an important role in the regulation of bone homeostasis throughout life. Thus, the damage of osteoblasts can lead to serious skeletal diseases, highlighting the urgent need for novel pharmacological targets. This study introduces chemical genetics strategy by using small molecule forskolin (FSK) as a probe to explore the druggable targets for osteoporosis. Here, this work reveals that transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) served as a major cellular target of FSK to obviously induce osteoblast differentiation. Then, this work identifies a previously undisclosed allosteric site in the catalytic core of TGM2. In particular, FSK formed multiple hydrogen bonds in a saddle‐like domain to induce an “open” conformation of the β‐sandwich domain in TGM2, thereby promoting the substrate protein crosslinks by incorporating polyamine. Furthermore, this work finds that TGM2 interacted with several mitochondrial homeostasis‐associated proteins to improve mitochondrial dynamics and ATP production for osteoblast differentiation. Finally, this work observes that FSK effectively ameliorated osteoporosis in the ovariectomy mice model. Taken together, these findings show a previously undescribed pharmacological allosteric site on TGM2 for osteoporosis treatment, and also provide an available chemical tool for interrogating TGM2 biology and developing bone anabolic agent.
CircTmeff1 Promotes Muscle Atrophy by Interacting with TDP‐43 and Encoding A Novel TMEFF1‐339aa Protein
Authors: Chen Rui , Yang Tingting , Jin Bing , Xu Wanru , Yan Yuwei , Wood Nathanael , Lehmann H. Immo , Wang Siqi , Zhu Xiaolan , Yuan Weilin , Chen Hongjian , Liu Zhengyu , Li Guoping , Bowen T. Scott , Li Jin , Xiao Junjie
Published: April 2023

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a common clinical feature of many acute and chronic conditions. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed RNA transcripts that are involved in various physiological and pathological processes, but their role in muscle atrophy remains unknown. Global circRNA expression profiling indicated that circRNAs are involved in the pathophysiological processes of muscle atrophy. circTmeff1 is identified as a potential circRNA candidate that influences muscle atrophy. It is further identified that circTmeff1 is highly expressed in multiple types of muscle atrophy in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the overexpression of circTmeff1 triggers muscle atrophy in vitro and in vivo, while the knockdown of circTmeff1 expression rescues muscle atrophy in vitro and in vivo. In particular, the knockdown of circTmeff1 expression partially rescues muscle mass in mice during established atrophic settings. Mechanistically, circTmeff1 directly interacts with TAR DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) and promotes aggregation of TDP‐43 in mitochondria, which triggers the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into cytosol and activation of the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS)/ stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. Unexpectedly, TMEFF1‐339aa is identified as a novel protein encoded by circTmeff1 that mediates its pro‐atrophic effects. Collectively, the inhibition of circTmeff1 represents a novel therapeutic approach for multiple types of skeletal muscle atrophy.
Oral Delivery of Bioactive Glass‐Loaded Core–Shell Hydrogel Microspheres for Effective Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zhu Yanlun , Wang Yiwei , Xia Guanggai , Zhang Xuerao , Deng Shuai , Zhao Xiaoyu , Xu Yanteng , Chang Guozhu , Tao Yu , Li Mingqiang , Li Haiyan , Huang Xinyu , Chan Hon Fai
Published: April 2023

Resolving inflammation and promoting intestinal tissue regeneration are critical for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. Bioactive glass (BG) is a clinically approved bone graft material and has been shown to modulate inflammatory response, but it is unknown whether BG can be applied to treat IBD. Here, it is reported that BG attenuates pro‐inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated macrophages and hence reduces inflammatory damage to intestinal organoids in vitro. In addition, zein/sodium alginate‐based core–shell microspheres (Zein/SA/BG) are developed for oral delivery of BG, which helps prevent premature dissolution of BG in the stomach. The results show that Zein/SA/BG protects BG from a gastric‐simulated environment while dissolved in an intestinal‐simulated environment. When administered to acute and chronic colitis mice model, Zein/SA/BG significantly reduces intestinal inflammation, promotes epithelial tissue regeneration, and partially restores microbiota homeostasis. These findings are the first to reveal the therapeutic efficacy of BG against IBD, which may provide a new therapeutic approach at low cost for effective IBD treatment.
High‐Yield Deterministic Focused Ion Beam Implantation of Quantum Defects Enabled by In Situ Photoluminescence Feedback
Authors: Chandrasekaran Vigneshwaran , Titze Michael , Flores Anthony R. , Campbell Deanna , Henshaw Jacob , Jones Andrew C. , Bielejec Edward S. , Htoon Han
Published: April 2023

Focused ion beam implantation is ideally suited for placing defect centers in wide bandgap semiconductors with nanometer spatial resolution. However, the fact that only a few percent of implanted defects can be activated to become efficient single photon emitters prevents this powerful capability to reach its full potential in photonic/electronic integration of quantum defects. Here an industry adaptive scalable technique is demonstrated to deterministically create single defects in commercial grade silicon carbide by performing repeated low ion number implantation and in situ photoluminescence evaluation after each round of implantation. An array of 9 single defects in 13 targeted locations is successfully created—a ≈70% yield which is more than an order of magnitude higher than achieved in a typical single pass ion implantation. The remaining emitters exhibit non‐classical photon emission statistics corresponding to the existence of at most two emitters. This approach can be further integrated with other advanced techniques such as in situ annealing and cryogenic operations to extend to other material platforms for various quantum information technologies.
Pulsed Light Synthesis of High Entropy Nanocatalysts with Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Prolonged Stability for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Abdelhafiz Ali , Tanvir A. N. M. , Zeng Minxiang , Wang Baoming , Ren Zhichu , Harutyunyan Avetik R. , Zhang Yanliang , Li Ju
Published: April 2023

The ability to synthesize compositionally complex nanostructures rapidly is a key to high‐throughput functional materials discovery. In addition to being time‐consuming, a majority of conventional materials synthesis processes closely follow thermodynamics equilibria, which limit the discovery of new classes of metastable phases such as high entropy oxides (HEO). Herein, a photonic flash synthesis of HEO nanoparticles at timescales of milliseconds is demonstrated. By leveraging the abrupt heating and cooling cycles induced by a high‐power‐density xenon pulsed light, mixed transition metal salt precursors undergo rapid chemical transformations. Hence, nanoparticles form within milliseconds with a strong affinity to bind to the carbon substrate. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity measurements of the synthesized nanoparticles demonstrate two orders of magnitude prolonged stability at high current densities, without noticeable decay in performance, compared to commercial IrO2 catalyst. This superior catalytic activity originates from the synergistic effect of different alloying elements mixed at a high entropic state. It is found that Cr addition influences surface activity the most by promoting higher oxidation states, favoring optimal interaction with OER intermediates. The proposed high‐throughput method opens new pathways toward developing next‐generation functional materials for various electronics, sensing, and environmental applications, in addition to renewable energy conversion.
Bioinspired Conductive Enhanced Polyurethane Ionic Skin as Reliable Multifunctional Sensors
Authors: Zhao Bicheng , Yan Jiaqi , Long Fen , Qiu Wu , Meng Guoqing , Zeng Zhicheng , Huang Hui , Wang Han , Lin Naibo , Liu Xiang‐Yang
Published: April 2023

Ionogels prepared from ionic liquid (IL) have the characteristics of nonevaporation and stable performance relative to traditional hydrogels. However, the conductivities of commonly used ionogels are at very low relative to traditional hydrogels because the large sizes of the cation and anion in an IL impedes ion migration in polymer networks. In this study, ultradurable ionogels with suitable mechanical properties and high conductivities are prepared by impregnating IL into a safe, environmentally friendly water‐based polyurethane (WPU) network by mimicking the ion transport channels in the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. The increase in electrical conductivity is attributed to the introduction of carboxylic acid in the hard segment of WPU; this phenomenon regularly arranges hard segment structural domains by hydrogen bonding, forming ionic conduction channels. The conductivities of their ionogels are >28–39 mS cm−1. These ionogels have adjustable mechanical properties that make the Young's modulus value (0.1–0.6 MPa) similar to that of natural skin. The strain sensor has an ultrahigh sensitivity that ranges from 0.99 to 1.35, with a wide sensing range of 0.1%–200%. The findings are promising for various ionotronics requiring environmental stability and high conductivity characteristics.
Thickness‐Dependent Thermal Conductivity and Phonon Mean Free Path Distribution in Single‐Crystalline Barium Titanate
Authors: Negi Ankit , Rodriguez Alejandro , Zhang Xuanyi , Comstock Andrew H. , Yang Cong , Sun Dali , Jiang Xiaoning , Kumah Divine , Hu Ming , Liu Jun
Published: April 2023

Nanosized perovskite ferroelectrics are widely employed in several electromechanical, photonics, and thermoelectric applications. Scaling of ferroelectric materials entails a severe reduction in the lattice (phonon) thermal conductivity, particularly at sub‐100 nm length scales. Such thermal conductivity reduction can be accurately predicted using the information of phonon mean free path (MFP) distribution. The current understanding of phonon MFP distribution in perovskite ferroelectrics is still inconclusive despite the critical thermal management implications. Here, high‐quality single‐crystalline barium titanate (BTO) thin films, a representative perovskite ferroelectric material, are grown at several thicknesses. Using experimental thermal conductivity measurements and first‐principles based modeling (including four‐phonon scattering), the phonon MFP distribution is determined in BTO. The simulation results agree with the measured thickness‐dependent thermal conductivity. The results show that the phonons with sub‐100 nm MFP dominate the thermal transport in BTO, and phonons with MFP exceeding 10 nm contribute ≈35% to the total thermal conductivity, in significant contrast to previously published experimental results. The experimentally validated phonon MFP distribution is consistent with the theoretical predictions of other complex crystals with strong anharmonicity. This work paves the way for thermal management in nanostructured and ferroelectric‐domain‐engineered systems for oxide perovskite‐based functional materials.
A High Energy‐Density, Cobalt‐Free, Low‐Nickel LiNi0.7Mn0.25Al0.05O2 Cathode with a High‐Voltage Electrolyte for Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Sim Richard , Su Laisuo , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: April 2023

Cobalt‐free cathode materials have garnered increased attention for applications in next‐generation batteries for electric vehicles, as cobalt is considered to have at a high supply chain risk. Here, the use of a localized saturated electrolyte (LSE) to enable stable cycling of a cobalt‐free, low‐nickel layered‐oxide cathode LiNi0.7Mn0.25Al0.05O2 (NMA‐70) to higher voltages (4.6 V) in a lithium‐metal battery is demonstrated. Compared to the baseline LP57 electrolyte, the LSE extends the cycle life from ≈100 cycles to ≈400 cycles before reaching 80% capacity retention. Visual indicators of cell degradation, such as product deposition, are observed on electrodes cycled in LP57. It is shown that cycling NMA‐70 in LSE reduces the overall active material loss and overpotential growth during extended cycling. This is attributed to the formation of a beneficial fluorinated interphase layer, a lower degree of rock‐salt phase formation, and a reduction in the gas evolution from the cathode surface. The decrease in gas evolution from the cathode cycled in LSE reflects a lower degree of electrolyte reactivity and an overall improvement in the safety characteristics of the cell. This study highlights the importance of a stable electrolyte to enable the high‐voltage cycling of alternative, lower nickel, and cobalt‐free cathodes.
7.9 µm Turing Membranes with High Ion Conductivity for High Power Density Zinc‐Based Flow Battery
Authors: Wu Jine , Liao Chenyi , Li Tianyu , Lu Wenjing , Xu Wei , Ye Bangjiao , Li Guohui , Zhang Hongjun , Li Xianfeng
Published: April 2023

Ion conductive membranes with rapid and selective ion transport are in high demand for high‐power energy storage devices. Surface periodic Turing microstructures are scientifically compelling for their high specific surface area which can promote ion transport of membranes. Here, high‐conductivity thin Turing membranes prepared by Co2+ coordination with polybenzimidazole (OPBI) are designed and their efficient ion transport in the alkaline zinc‐iron flow battery (AZIFB) is demonstrated. In this design, the Turing structure increases the effective contact area with the electrolyte, and the 7.9 µm thickness shortens the transmembrane pathway for ions. Molecular dynamics simulations further show that Co2+‐coordination enlarges the inner‐chain volume of membranes and forms continuous water channels for rapid ion transport. The boosting effect of membranes with high ion conductivity is proven by the peak power density and energy efficiency of the AZIFB, which shows an ultrahigh peak power density of 1147 mW cm−2 and demonstrates an energy efficiency of 80% even at a high current density of 200 mA cm−2.
Parallel deletion and duplication at 7q11.23 in a silent carrier for two reciprocal syndromic disorders
Authors: Lühmann Jonathan Lukas , Schmidt Gunnar , Auber Bernd , Bergmann Anke Katharina , Brandau Oliver , Louis Anja , Hentze Sabine , Eisfeld Katrin , Schlegelberger Brigitte , Klaes Ruediger , Steinemann Doris
Published: April 2023

Partial deletions at chromosome 7q11.23 are causative for the autosomal‐dominant Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS), whereas the partial duplication of this region leads to the 7q11.23 duplication syndrome. Both syndromes are highly penetrant and occur with a frequency of 1:7500–10,000 (WBS) and 1:13,000–20,000 (7q11.23 duplication syndrome). They are associated with multiple organ defects, intellectual disability, and typical facial dysmorphisms showing broad phenotypic variability. The 7q11.23 region is susceptible to chromosomal rearrangements due to flanking segmental duplications and regions of long repetitive DNA segments. Here, we report on a family with two children affected by WBS and clinically unaffected parents. Interestingly, metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed a deletion on 7q11.23 in the father. Intensive genetic testing, using interphase FISH, whole genome sequencing and optical genome mapping led to the confirmation of a 1.5 Mb deletion at one 7q11.23 allele and the identification of a reciprocal 1.8 Mb duplication at the other allele. This finding is highly important regarding genetic counseling in this family. The father is a silent carrier for two syndromic disorders, thus his risk to transmit a disease‐causing allele is 100%. To the best of our knowledge we, here, report on the first case in which the phenotype of a microdeletion/microduplication syndrome was compensated by its reciprocal counterpart.
Research Progress on Carbon Dioxide Reduction Coupled with the Formation of C−O Bonds to Oxygenated Compounds
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Yang Boru , Jia Jinping , Wei Xuehong
Published: April 2023

In recent years, carbon dioxide (CO2) has been released into the atmosphere resulting in rising CO2 concentration, which has a great impact on climate problems such as global warming. Carbon dioxide is a rich, cheap and easily available renewable resource. The reduction of carbon dioxide as a C1 source into synthetic fuels or high‐value chemicals has aroused great interest among chemists. Over the past few decades, great progress has been made in carbon dioxide reduction and C−C, C−N, C−S bonds construction, but there are still great challenges in the hierarchical reduction of carbon dioxide coupled with the formation of C−O bonds. In this review, we summarized the research progress of carbon dioxide reduction coupled with the formation of C−O bonds to oxygenated compounds in alcohols andprospected the opportunities and challenges in this field.
Total sleep duration and daytime napping in relation to dementia detection risk: Results from the Million Women Study
Authors: Wong Angel T. Y. , Reeves Gillian K. , Floud Sarah
Published: April 2023

Introduction

There is inconsistent evidence on the associations of sleep duration and daytime napping with dementia risk.

Methods

In the Million Women Study, a total of 830,716 women (mean age, 60 years) were asked about sleep duration (<7, 7–8, >8 hours) and daytime napping (rarely/never, sometimes, usually) in median year 2001, and were followed for the first hospital record with any mention of dementia. Cox regression estimated dementia detection risk ratios (RRs) during 17‐year follow‐up in 5‐year intervals.

Results

With 34,576 dementia cases, there was strong attenuation over follow‐up in the RRs related to long sleep duration (>8 vs 7–8 hours) and usually napping (vs rarely/never). Short sleep duration was modestly, positively associated with dementia in the long term (RR = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.12).

Discussion

There was little evidence to suggest that long sleep duration and regular napping are associated with long‐term dementia risk. Short sleep duration was modestly associated with dementia risk, but residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Highlights

Long sleep duration was not associated with long‐term dementia risk.

Daytime napping was not associated with long‐term dementia risk.

There is some evidence for a small higher risk of dementia related to short sleep.
The correlation between neuropathology levels and cognitive performance in centenarians
Authors: Zhang Meng , Ganz Andrea B. , Rohde Susan , Lorenz Linda , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , van Vliet Kimberley , Graat Marieke , Sikkes Sietske A. M. , Reinders Marcel J. T. , Scheltens Philip , Hulsman Marc , Hoozemans Jeroen J. M. , Holstege Henne
Published: April 2023

INTRODUCTION

Neuropathological substrates associated with neurodegeneration occur in brains of the oldest old. How does this affect cognitive performance?

METHODS

The 100‐plus Study is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of centenarians who self‐report to be cognitively healthy; post mortem brain donation is optional. In 85 centenarian brains, we explored the correlations between the levels of 11 neuropathological substrates with ante mortem performance on 12 neuropsychological tests.

RESULTS

Levels of neuropathological substrates varied: we observed levels up to Thal‐amyloid beta phase 5, Braak‐neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) stage V, Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD)‐neuritic plaque score 3, Thal‐cerebral amyloid angiopathy stage 3, Tar‐DNA binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) stage 3, hippocampal sclerosis stage 1, Braak‐Lewy bodies stage 6, atherosclerosis stage 3, cerebral infarcts stage 1, and cerebral atrophy stage 2. Granulovacuolar degeneration occurred in all centenarians. Some high performers had the highest neuropathology scores.

DISCUSSION

Only Braak‐NFT stage and limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy (LATE) pathology associated significantly with performance across multiple cognitive domains. Of all cognitive tests, the clock‐drawing test was particularly sensitive to levels of multiple neuropathologies.
Salzabfall‐freie Carboxylierung von Acetylen: Grüne Synthese von C4‐Chemikalien durch einen CO2‐Druck‐induzierten Aciditätsswitch
Authors: van Lingen Tim , Bragoni Valentina , Dyga Marco , Exner Benjamin , Schick Daniel , Held Christoph , Sadowski Gabriele , Gooßen Lukas J.
Published: April 2023

Die Vermeidung der Bildung equimolarer Mengen an Salzabfällen ist eine der größten Herausforderungen zur Nutzung von CO2 als C1 Baustein in C‐H‐Carboxylierungsreaktionen. Zur Lösung dieses Problems wurde ein zyklischer Prozess entwickelt, in welchem die industrielle Basischemikalie Dimethylsuccinat aus CO2 und Acetylen synthetisiert wird. Bei moderatem CO2‐Druck kann Acetylen mit Cäsiumcarbonat zweifach carboxyliert und das intermediäre Salz durch Hydrierung der C‐C‐Dreifachbindung stabilisiert werden. Bei 70 bar CO2 wird das Reaktionsmedium reversibel angesäuert, was die Veresterung des Carboxylatsalzes mit dem Lösemittel Methanol ermöglicht. Die Cäsiumbase und der Hydrierkatalysator können regeneriert und wiederverwendet werden. Dieses Reaktionskonzept eröffnet einen neuen Weg zur Umsetzung von Biogas (CH4/CO2) zu industriell relevanten C4 Basischemikalien. Der reversible Aziditätsswitch, die Rolle der Cäsiumbase so wie die des Lösungsmittelgemisches wurden durch thermodynamische Modellierung aufgeklärt.