bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility Study of the Location Selection for Oil Distribution Center with Sensitivity Analysis Case Study: A Sample Oil Company
Authors: Sanonok A. , Patthamanawin P. , Pornsing C. , Sangkhiew N. , Jatephook A. , Intawongse C. , Jomtong P.
Published: August 2023

Nowadays, electricity is the energy source that is most conveniently and comfortably transferred to the consumer since it can be wired directly from the energy source to the user. It can be easily transformed into other energy types and kept in reserve. Natural gas is the primary fuel produced in Thailand due to its minimum cost and it’s also a sustainable alternative. However, due to the annual shutdown of gas pipelines and drilling sites are forced to use Fuel Oil (FO) and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) instead of natural gas to produce electricity. This paper is a study of the oil transportation systems of each alternative, which consists of alternative I being the main oil distribution center, alternative II being the main oil distribution center and the old oil distribution centers A and B, and alternative III being the new oil distribution centers C and D to study the feasibility of the location selection for oil distribution center during this shutdown period. According to the simulation and economic analysis, the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of each alternative are known, which will be taken into account at the meeting with management. The result was found that alternative III should be chosen because it can satisfy both the quantitative and qualitative. Furthermore, we conducted the sensitivity analysis, it was found that increased investment selections. On the other hand, it will make investment selections.
Understanding Capital Structure in Flower Farms, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Singh Pavan Kumar , Singh K. K. , Supriya  , Yadav Bhartendu , Kumar Ajeet , Verma Sachin Kumar
Published: August 2023

A study on 120 flower farmers was made in the district Varanasi to analyze the farm structure and investment patterns of the selected farms. A multistage stratified purposive cum random sampling procedure was adopted for the study. Findings reveal that the overall average cropping intensity on sample farms was found 213.04%. Among the overall cropping pattern of the crops in the study area, the percentage of rose was 8.57 and marigold was found 11.12 percent. Per farm investment on farm, structure was highest on small size group of farms i.e., Rs. 750644.34 followed by marginal size group of farms which found the money value of Rs. 463367.02 respectively showing the direct relation to farm size.
Efficient Adsorption Kinetic Studies of Chromium from Effluents Using Ziziphus mauritiana Leaf Extract Mediated TiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Yaseen Zobia , Mehmood Khalid , Ibrahim Muhammad , Yaseen Ammara , Ihsan Ayesha , Raza Ali , Hassan Aakash , Shabir Ghulam , Shabir Tayyaba , Abbas Nasir
Published: August 2023

Water plays a remarkable role in the natural structure of a living organism as people's  bodies comprise 60% water by weight. Water contamination due to negative industrialization and anthropogenic activities is a huge hazard to humanity. The water quality is degraded by the discharge of organic and Inorganic compounds, Pathogens, herbicides, pesticides, drugs, heavy metals, and macroscopic pollutants in the water bodies, leading to a decrease in the oxygen in the water.  Heavy metals are well-defined habitat pollutants because of their toxicity and bio accumulative nature. The adsorption method is more appealing to researchers because of its extraordinary potential to remove toxic metals, in which adsorbate are attached to the solid surface of adsorbent through physiochemical interactions. In the current research, the plant leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana was subjected to synthesize TiO2. For Chromium  removal from an aqueous solution, TiO2 nanoparticles will be used. UV-Visible, FTIR, powder  and SEM will be employed to characterize nanoparticle synthesis. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer will be employed for heavy metal removal analysis before and after adsorption. pH, dosage rate, concentration, and contact time were among the various experimental activities used. Finally, to improve the results, experimental statistics were applied to all recorded data.
Creation and Adoption of Large Language Models in Medicine
Authors: Shah Nigam H. , Entwistle David , Pfeffer Michael A.
Published: August 2023

Importance

There is increased interest in and potential benefits from using large language models (LLMs) in medicine. However, by simply wondering how the LLMs and the applications powered by them will reshape medicine instead of getting actively involved, the agency in shaping how these tools can be used in medicine is lost.

Observations

Applications powered by LLMs are increasingly used to perform medical tasks without the underlying language model being trained on medical records and without verifying their purported benefit in performing those tasks.

Conclusions and Relevance

The creation and use of LLMs in medicine need to be actively shaped by provisioning relevant training data, specifying the desired benefits, and evaluating the benefits via testing in real-world deployments.
Large Language Models Answer Medical Questions Accurately, but Can’t Match Clinicians’ Knowledge
Authors: Harris Emily
Published: August 2023

This Medical News article discusses new research on artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT and Med-PaLM.
Prospective Associations of Different Combinations of Aerobic and Muscle-Strengthening Activity With All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer Mortality
Authors: López-Bueno Rubén , Ahmadi Matthew , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Yang Lin , del Pozo Cruz Borja
Published: August 2023

Importance

Studies examining the associations of different combinations of intensity-specific aerobic and muscle strengthening activity (MSA) with all-cause and cause-specific mortality are scarce; the few available estimates are disparate.

Objective

To examine the prospective associations of different combinations of moderate aerobic physical activity (MPA), vigorous aerobic physical activity (VPA), and MSA with all-cause, cardiovascular (CVD), and cancer mortality.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nationwide prospective cohort study used data from the US National Health Interview Survey. A total of 500 705 eligible US adults were included in the study and followed up during a median of 10.0 years (5.6 million person-years) from 1997 to 2018. Data were analyzed from September 1 to September 30, 2022.

Exposures

Self-reported cumulative bouts (75 weekly minutes) of MPA and VPA with recommended MSA guidelines (yes or no) to obtain 48 mutually exclusive exposure categories.

Main Outcomes and Measures

All-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. Participants were linked to the National Death Index through December 31, 2019.

Results

Overall, 500 705 participants (mean [SD] age, 46.4 [17.3] years; 210 803 [58%] female; 277 504 [77%] White) were included in the study. Compared with the reference group (doing no MPA or VPA and less than recommended MSA), the category associated with the lowest hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was more than 0 to 75 minutes of MPA combined with more than 150 minutes of VPA and 2 or more MSA sessions per week (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.42-0.59). The optimal combinations for CVD and cancer mortality risk reduction were more than 150 to 225 minutes of MPA, more than 0 to 75 minutes of VPA, and 2 or more MSA sessions per week (HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.15-0.57), and more than 300 minutes of MPA, more than 0 to 75 minutes of VPA, and 2 or more MSA sessions per week (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.23-0.82), respectively. Adjusted mortality rates represented an approximately 50% lower mortality rate for all-cause and cancer mortality and an approximately 3-fold lower mortality rate for CVD mortality.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study demonstrated that balanced levels of MPA, VPA, and MSA combined may be associated with optimal reductions of mortality risk. Higher-than-recommended levels of MPA and VPA may further lower the risk of cancer and all-cause mortality, respectively.
Effects of Cuff Size on the Accuracy of Blood Pressure Readings
Authors: Ishigami Junichi , Charleston Jeanne , Miller Edgar R. , Matsushita Kunihiro , Appel Lawrence J. , Brady Tammy M.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Clinical practice guidelines recommend selecting an appropriately sized cuff based on mid-arm circumference prior to measuring blood pressure (BP). To our knowledge, the effect of miscuffing on BP measurement when using an automated BP device has not been quantified.

Objective

To determine the effect of using a regular BP cuff vs an appropriately sized BP cuff on automated BP readings.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized crossover trial of community-dwelling adults with a wide range of mid-arm circumferences took place between March 16 and October 25, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants were recruited via BP screening events at a public food market and a senior housing facility, targeted mailings to prior research participants, placement of study brochures in hypertension clinics at Johns Hopkins University, and referrals from physicians providing hypertension care to adults.

Interventions

Participants underwent 4 sets of triplicate BP measurements, with the initial 3 sets using an appropriate, too-small, or too-large BP cuff in random order; the fourth set of triplicate measurements was always completed with an appropriate BP cuff.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the difference in mean BP when measured with a regular BP cuff compared with an appropriate BP cuff. The secondary outcome was the difference in BP when using too-small or too-large BP cuffs vs an appropriate BP cuff across all cuff sizes. Results were also stratified by systolic BP (≥130 mm Hg vs <130 mm Hg) and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; ≥30 vs <30).

Results

A total of 195 adults (mean [SD] age, 54 [16] years; 67 [34%] male; 132 [68%] Black; 100 [51%] with hypertension) were randomized for inclusion. Among individuals requiring a small BP cuff, use of a regular BP cuff resulted in a statistically significant lower BP reading (mean systolic BP difference, −3.6 [95% CI, −5.6 to −1.7] mm Hg). In contrast, among individuals requiring a large or extra-large BP cuff, use of a regular BP cuff resulted in a statistically significant higher BP reading (mean systolic BP difference, 4.8 [95% CI, 3.0-6.6] mm Hg and 19.5 [95% CI, 16.1-22.9] mm Hg, respectively). For the secondary outcome, BP differences with overcuffing and undercuffing by 1 and 2 cuff sizes were greater among those requiring larger BP cuffs. The results were consistent in stratified analyses by systolic BP and body mass index.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized crossover trial, miscuffing resulted in strikingly inaccurate BP measurements. This is particularly concerning for settings where 1 regular BP cuff size is routinely used in all individuals, regardless of arm size. A renewed emphasis on individualized BP cuff selection is warranted.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04610775
Trends in Delirium and New Antipsychotic and Benzodiazepine Use Among Hospitalized Older Adults Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Reppas-Rindlisbacher Christina , Boblitz Alexa , Fowler Robert A. , Lapointe-Shaw Lauren , Sheehan Kathleen A. , Stukel Therese A. , Rochon Paula A.
Published: August 2023

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic caused large disruptions to health care for hospitalized older adults. The incidence and management of delirium may have been affected by high rates of COVID-19 infection, staffing shortages, overwhelmed hospital capacity, and changes to visitor policies.

Objective

To measure changes in rates of delirium and related medication prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic among hospitalized older adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based, repeated cross-sectional study used linked databases to measure rates of delirium and related medication prescriptions among adults aged 66 years or older hospitalized before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022) in Ontario, Canada.

Exposure

The first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were weekly rates of delirium per 1000 admitted population and monthly rates of new antipsychotic and benzodiazepine prescriptions per 1000 discharged population. Observed rates were compared with projected rates based on modeling from 3 years before pandemic onset.

Results

Among 2 128 411 hospitalizations of older adults over the 5-year study period (50.7% female; mean [SD] age, 78.9 [8.3] years), absolute rates of delirium increased from 35.9 per 1000 admitted population during the prepandemic period to 41.5 per 1000 admitted population throughout the pandemic. The adjusted rate ratio (ARR) of delirium during the pandemic compared with the projected rate was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.11-1.19). Monthly rates of new antipsychotic prescriptions increased from 6.9 to 8.8 per 1000 discharged population and new benzodiazepine prescriptions from 4.4 to 6.0 per 1000 discharged population and were significantly higher during the pandemic compared with projected rates (antipsychotics: ARR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.38; benzodiazepines: ARR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.20-1.57). Rates were highest during pandemic waves 1 (March to June 2020), 3 (March to June 2021), and 5 (December 2021 to February 2022) and remained elevated above projected levels throughout the first 2 years of the pandemic.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this repeated cross-sectional study of hospitalized older adults, there was a temporal association between COVID-19 pandemic onset and significant increases in rates of delirium in the hospital and new antipsychotic and benzodiazepine prescriptions after hospital discharge. Rates remained elevated over 2 years. Pandemic-related changes such as visitor restrictions, staff shortages, isolation practices, and reduced staff time at the bedside may have contributed to these trends.
Overlooked Outcomes in Pediatric Obesity Management—Unintended Consequences
Authors: Alberga Angela S. , Sacco Sabrina , Booij Linda
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint describes unintended consequences of pediatric obesity treatment plans and the need for evidence balancing potential benefits vs harms of these plans.
Out-of-Pocket Costs and Payer Types for Buprenorphine Among US Youth Aged 12 to 19 Years
Authors: Terranella Andrew , Guy Gery , Strahan Andrea , Mikosz Christina
Published: August 2023

This cross-sectional study examines out-of-pocket costs and payer types for buprenorphine prescriptions filled for youth aged 12 to 19 years at US retail pharmacies.
Puzzling out nuclear pore complex assembly
Authors: Penzo Arianna , Palancade Benoit
Published: August 2023

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are sophisticated multiprotein assemblies embedded within the nuclear envelope and controlling the exchanges of molecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which these elaborate complexes are built from their subunits, the nucleoporins, based on our ever‐growing knowledge of NPC structural organization and on the recent identification of additional features of this process. We present the constraints faced during the production of nucleoporins, their gathering into oligomeric complexes, and the formation of NPCs within nuclear envelopes, and review the cellular strategies at play, from co‐translational assembly to the enrolment of a panel of cofactors. Remarkably, the study of NPCs can inform our perception of the biogenesis of multiprotein complexes in general – and vice versa.
Staff goals, challenges, and use of student inquiry in undergraduate bioscience teaching laboratories
Authors: Coyte Emily
Published: August 2023

Teaching laboratory practical sessions are major components of undergraduate bioscience curricula, but research into staff perceptions and intentions across institutions in this context is lacking. This study describes a mixed‐methods study using questionnaires and follow‐up interviews to explore staff perceptions of their goals for UK bioscience teaching labs, the extent to which they incorporate student inquiry and challenges encountered with these sessions. The findings show that staff aim for strong lecture connections, applying taught theory to actively develop students' technical and data handling skills. They value teaching labs as opportunities for authentic contact through hands‐on learning with scientific equipment and human connection with staff and other students. Student inquiry (e.g. experimental design decisions) was present in individual elements of teaching labs but not deeply embedded. Staff participants saw teaching labs as first steps to scientific inquiry, often intending to adopt more inquiry activities, but were concerned about time investment and student readiness, especially for early‐year students. Staff who used more inquiry showed stronger goal focus on scientific reasoning, research experience and collaboration. Staff enjoy teaching labs and consider them meaningful learning experiences. Time and budget limitations were more constraining than sense of agency, but overriding challenges were student lab anxieties, and finding ways to increase their confidence and preparation for these sessions. These findings collate staff perceptions of teaching labs across UK institutions and could facilitate reflection, discussion and further research on the goals and impact of these prevalent but resource‐intensive sessions on training the next generation.
Looking back, looking ahead: Strategic initiatives in AI and NSF's AI Institutes Program
Authors: Donlon James , Goel Ashok
Published: August 2023

We introduce U.S. National Science Foundation's groundbreaking National AI Research Institutes Program. The AI institutes are interdisciplinary collaborations that continue the program's emphasis on tackling larger‐scale, longer‐time horizon challenges in both foundational and use‐inspired AI research, and act as nexus points to address some of society's grand challenges.
Seizure reduction in TSC2‐mutant mouse model by an mTOR catalytic inhibitor
Authors: Dhamne Sameer C. , Modi Meera E. , Gray Audrey , Bonazzi Simone , Craig Lucas , Bainbridge Elizabeth , Lalani Lahin , Super Chloe E. , Schaeffer Samantha , Capre Ketthsy , Lubicka Danuta , Liang Guiqing , Burdette Doug , McTighe Stephanie M. , Gurnani Sarika , Vermudez Sheryl Anne D. , Curtis Daniel , Wilson Christopher J. , Hameed Mustafa Q. , D'Amore Angelica , Rotenberg Alexander , Sahin Mustafa
Published: August 2023

Objective

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by autosomal‐dominant pathogenic variants in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, and it is characterized by hamartomas in multiple organs, such as skin, kidney, lung, and brain. These changes can result in epilepsy, learning disabilities, and behavioral complications, among others. The mechanistic link between TSC and the mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is well established, thus mTOR inhibitors can potentially be used to treat the clinical manifestations of the disorder, including epilepsy.

Methods

In this study, we tested the efficacy of a novel mTOR catalytic inhibitor (here named Tool Compound 1 or TC1) previously reported to be more brain‐penetrant compared with other mTOR inhibitors. Using a well‐characterized hypomorphic Tsc2 mouse model, which displays a translationally relevant seizure phenotype, we tested the efficacy of TC1.

Results

Our results show that chronic treatment with this novel mTOR catalytic inhibitor (TC1), which affects both the mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling complexes, reduces seizure burden, and extends the survival of Tsc2 hypomorphic mice, restoring species typical weight gain over development.

Interpretation

Novel mTOR catalytic inhibitor TC1 exhibits a promising therapeutic option in the treatment of TSC.
The Preparation of Flower Structure Composites Composed of Lamellar CuS and RGO and Its Electromagnetic‐Wave‐Absorption Performance
Authors: Zhao Qixian , Li Xianyu , Jia Dongjie , Ma Bochao , Yang Peipei
Published: August 2023

The harm of electromagnetic wave to human daily life has gradually received widespread attention, and CuS, with unique morphology and high specific surface area, and as a typical P‐type semiconductor material, has a large number of holes, which is conducive to electron transport, which have used as electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) materials. EMA properties are affected by the morphology of materials, and therefore, flower‐shaped CuS/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) formed by self‐assembly of 2D lamellar structure CuS and RGO is prepared via a simple water bath–heating reaction. The content of RGO was adjusted to obtain the superior EMA properties. In the results, it is shown that the synthesized CuS/RGO with RGO of 10 mg has an excellent EMA capacity of strong reflection loss (RLmin = −46.8 dB) and broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB = 4.9 GHz), at the thickness of 2.04 mm and the frequency of 12.1 GHz. The prepared flower‐shaped CuS/RGO composites has a strong interface polarization because of its 2D/2D heterostructure, and the 2D CuS was compounded with 2D RGO to form 3D conductive networks improving conductive loss capacity. In this article, the study on the influence of the morphology of transition‐metal sulfides–based composites on EMA field is enriched.
On‐Chip Reconstitution of Uniformly Shear‐Sensing 3D Matrix‐Embedded Multicellular Blood Microvessel
Authors: Vo Quoc , Carlson Kaely A. , Chiknas Peter M. , Brocker Chad N. , DaSilva Luis , Clark Erica , Park Sang Ki , Ajiboye A. Seun , Wier Eric M. , Benam Kambez H.
Published: August 2023

Preclinical human‐relevant modeling of organ‐specific vasculature offers a unique opportunity to recreate pathophysiological intercellular, tissue‐tissue, and cell‐matrix interactions for a broad range of applications. Here, this work presents a reliable, and simply reproducible process for constructing user‐controlled long rounded extracellular matrix (ECM) embedded vascular microlumens on‐chip for endothelization and co‐culture with stromal cells obtained from human lung. This work demonstrates the critical impact of microchannel cross‐sectional geometry and length on uniform distribution and magnitude of vascular wall shear stress, which is key when emulating in vivo observed blood flow biomechanics in health and disease. In addition, this study provides an optimization protocol for multicellular culture and functional validation of the system. Moreover, this study shows the ability to finely tune rheology of the three‐dimensional natural matrix surrounding the vascular microchannel to match pathophysiological stiffness. In summary, this work provides the scientific community with a matrix‐embedded microvasculature on‐chip populated with all‐primary human‐derived pulmonary endothelial cells and fibroblasts to recapitulate and interrogate lung parenchymal biology, physiological responses, vascular biomechanics, and disease biogenesis in vitro. Such a mix‐and‐match synthetic platform can be feasibly adapted to study blood vessels, matrix, and ECM‐embedded cells in other organs and be cellularized with additional stromal cells.
Hierarchically 3D Fibrous Electrode for High‐Performance Flexible AC‐Line Filtering in Fluctuating Energy Harvesters
Authors: Wu Mingmao , Sun Ke , He Jinfeng , Huang Qinzhui , Zhan Weiqing , Lu Zhixing , Xia Meng‐Chan , Zhang Yu , Lyu Xiaolin , Geng Hongya , Luo Zhong‐Zhen , Zou Zhigang
Published: August 2023

In light of the rapid development of intelligence and miniaturization in electronics, the growing demand for sustainable energy sources gives rise to a plethora of environmental/mechanical energy harvesters. However, the fluctuating nature of these generated energies frequently presents a challenge to their immediate usability. Although electrolytic capacitors can smooth fluctuating energy, lacking miniaturization and flexibility constrain their potential applications. Conversely, electrochemical capacitors (ECs), particularly fiber‐shaped electrochemical capacitors (FSECs), can offer superior flexibility. Nevertheless, the inherent trade‐off between ion transport and charge storage in fibrous electrodes poses a significant obstacle to their filtering capability. Here, a hierarchically 3D fibrous electrode that effectively balances ion transport and charge storage through its unhindered primary framework and intertwined secondary frameworks is presented. The resulting FSEC exhibits an exceptional specific areal capacitance of 1.37 mF cm−2 with a phase angle of −82° at 120 Hz, surpassing that of fiber‐shaped filter capacitors and most non‐fibrous filter ECs previously reported. Additionally, the FSEC displays excellent flexibility and high‐frequency response, rendering it well‐suited for filtering arbitrary ripple voltage and compatible with environmental/mechanical energy harvesters. These results demonstrate a promising approach for designing fibrous high‐frequency response electrodes and a foundation for portable environmental energy harvesting devices.
Smart and Multifunctional Fiber‐Reinforced Composites of 2D Heterostructure‐Based Textiles
Authors: Dulal Marzia , Islam Md Rashedul , Maiti Saptarshi , Islam Mohammad Hamidul , Ali Iftikhar , Abdelkader Amr M. , Novoselov Kostya S. , Afroj Shaila , Karim Nazmul
Published: August 2023

Smart and multifunctional fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites with energy storage, sensing, and heating capabilities have gained significant interest for automotive, civil, and aerospace applications. However, achieving smart and multifunctional capabilities in an FRP composite while maintaining desired mechanical properties remains challenging. Here, a novel approach for layer‐by‐layer (LBL) deposition of 2D material (graphene and molybdenum disulfide, MoS2)‐based heterostructure onto glass fiber fabric using a highly scalable manufacturing technique at a remarkable speed of ≈150 m min−1 is reported. This process enables the creation of smart textiles with integrated energy storage, sensing, and heating functionalities. This methodology combines gel‐based electrolyte with a vacuum resin infusion technique, resulting in an efficient and stable smart FRP composite with an areal capacitance of up to ≈182 µF cm−2 at 10 mV s−1. The composite exhibits exceptional cyclic stability, maintaining ≈90% capacitance after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the smart composite demonstrates joule heating, reaching from ≈24 to ≈27 °C within 120 s at 25 V. Additionally, the smart composite displays strain sensitivity by altering electrical resistance with longitudinal strain, enabling structural health monitoring. These findings highlight the potential of smart composites for multifunctional applications and provide an important step toward realizing their actual real‐world applications.
Engineering Radioactive Microspheres for Intra‐Arterial Brachytherapy Using Radiation‐Induced Graft Polymerization
Authors: Xu Xiao , Chen Hu , Zhao Zhenwen , Wang Yangjie , He Pan , Cheng Hongwei , Gao Xing , Shi Yesi , Li Yesen , Huang Jinxiong , Peng Yisheng , Chu Chengchao , Zhang Yang , Liu Chao , Li Bo , Mao Jingsong , Ma Hongjuan , Liu Gang
Published: August 2023

Intravascular brachytherapy requires advances in radio‐embolization technologies that combine brilliant radiostability efficacy with a facile and green synthesis route. A hybrid‐integrated radioactive microsphere strategy using phosphorylcholine‐modified lutetium‐177 coordinated polymeric microspheres (177Lu‐PCMs) is reported that are fabricated via radiation‐induced graft polymerization for imaging‐guided locoregional intravascular brachytherapy. The underlying formation mechanism of 177Lu‐PCMs is elucidated using first‐principles computations and density functional theory calculations, and 177Lu loading mechanisms are investigated with Near‐edge and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The engineered 177Lu‐PCMs exhibit excellent mechanical properties, good hydrophilicity, and controlled sphere diameter. These features provide advantages of ultra‐stable embolic radio‐theranostics, which is demonstrated in different preclinical rodent models and isolated human liver tumor tissues. During locoregional intra‐arterial brachytherapy, 177Lu‐PCMs can be visualized via SPECT to validate the in vivo biodistribution and retention in real time, achieving precise delivery, effective anti‐cancer treatment, and a distinguished safety profile without degradation, ectopic embolization, and adverse reactions. Therefore, this study offer a new avenue for the development of a highly innovative and translational approach for precision intra‐arterial brachytherapy.
Outdoor Worker Stress Monitoring Electronics with Nanofabric Radiative Cooler‐Based Thermal Management
Authors: Kim Hojoong , Yoo Young Jin , Yun Joo Ho , Heo Se‐Yeon , Song Young Min , Yeo Woon‐Hong
Published: August 2023

Severe stress endangers outdoor workers who are in an exceedingly hot workplace. Although recent studies quantify stress levels on the human skin, they still rely on rigid, bulky sensor modules, causing data loss from motion artifacts and limited field‐deployability for continuous health monitoring. Moreover, no prior work shows a wearable device that can endure heat exposure while showing continuous monitoring of a subject's stress under realistic working environments. Herein, a soft, field‐deployable, wearable bioelectronic system is introduced for detecting outdoor workers' stress levels with negligible motion artifacts and controllable thermal management. A nanofabric radiative cooler (NFRC) and miniaturized sensors with a nanomembrane soft electronic platform are integrated to measure stable electrodermal activities and temperature in hot outdoor conditions. The NFRC exhibits outstanding cooling performance in sub‐ambient air with high solar reflectivity and high thermal emissivity. The integrated wearable device with all embedded electronic components and the NFRC shows a lower temperature (41.1%) in sub‐ambient air than the NFRC‐less device while capturing improved operation time (18.2%). In vivo human study of the bioelectronics with agricultural activities demonstrates the device's capability for portable, continuous, real‐time health monitoring of outdoor workers with field deployability.
Blocked Autophagy is Involved in Layered Double Hydroxide‐Induced Repolarization and Immune Activation in Tumor‐Associated Macrophages
Authors: Jing Guoxin , Yang Linnan , Wang Hong , Niu Jintong , Wang Huichao , Gao Yi , Li Youyuan , Wei Bangguo , Qian Yechang , Wang Shilong
Published: August 2023

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are important immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The polar plasticity of TAMs makes them important targets for improving the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors. The previous study reveals that layered double hydroxides (LDHs) can effectively promote the polarization of TAMs from the anti‐inflammatory M2 type to the pro‐inflammatory M1 type. However, their mechanisms of action remain unexplored. This study reveals that LDHs composed of different cations exhibit distinct abilities to regulate the polarity of TAMs. Compared to Mg–Fe LDH, Mg–Al LDH has a stronger ability to promote the repolarization of TAMs from M2 to M1 and inhibit the formation of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). In addition, Mg–Al LDH restrains the growth of tumors in vivo and promotes the infiltration of activated immune cells into the TME more effectively. Interestingly, Mg–Al LDH influences the autophagy of TAMs; this negatively correlates with the pro‐inflammatory ability of TAMs. Therefore, LDHs exert their polarization ability by inhibiting the autophagy of TAMs, and this mechanism might be related to the ionic composition of LDHs. This study lays the foundation for optimizing the performance of LDH‐based immune adjuvants, which display excellent application prospects for tumor immunotherapy.
Microfluidic Generation of Thin‐Shelled Polyethylene Glycol‐Tyramine Microgels for Non‐Invasive Delivery of Immunoprotected β‐Cells
Authors: Araújo‐Gomes Nuno , Zoetebier‐Liszka Barbara , van Loo Bas , Becker Malin , Nijhuis Suzanne , Smink Alexandra M. , de Haan Bart J. , de Vos Paul , Karperien Marcel , Leijten Jeroen
Published: August 2023

Transplantation of microencapsulated pancreatic cells is emerging as a promising therapy to replenish β‐cell mass lost from auto‐immune nature of type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This strategy intends to use micrometer‐sized microgels to provide immunoprotection to transplanted cells to avoid chronic application of immunosuppression. Clinical application of encapsulation has remained elusive due to often limited production throughputs and body's immunological reactions to implanted materials. This article presents a high‐throughput fabrication of monodisperse, non‐immunogenic, non‐degradable, immunoprotective, semi‐permeable, enzymatically‐crosslinkable polyethylene glycol‐tyramine (PEG‐TA) microgels for β‐cell microencapsulation. Monodisperse β‐cell laden microgels of ≈120 µm, with a shell thickness of 20 µm are produced using an outside‐in crosslinking strategy. Microencapsulated β‐cells rapidly self‐assemble into islet‐sized spheroids. Immunoprotection of the microencapsulated is demonstrated by inability of FITC‐IgG antibodies to diffuse into cell‐laden microgels and NK‐cell inability to kill microencapsulated β‐cells. Multiplexed ELISA analysis on live blood immune reactivity confirms limited immunogenicity. Microencapsulated MIN6β1 spheroids remain glucose responsive for 28 days in vitro, and able to restore normoglycemia 5 days post‐implantation in diabetic mice without notable amounts of cell death. In short, PEG‐TA microgels effectively protect implanted cells from the host's immune system while being viable and functional, validating this strategy for the treatment of T1DM.
A Nature‐Inspired Versatile Bio‐Adhesive
Authors: Chen Mingxia , Chen Taijun , Bai Jiafan , He Siyuan , Luo Minyue , Zeng Yili , Peng Wenzhen , Zhao Yuancong , Wang Jianxin , Zhu Xiangdong , Zhi Wei , Weng Jie , Zhang Kai , Zhang Xingdong
Published: August 2023

The application of most hydrogel bio‐adhesives is greatly limited due to their high swelling, low underwater adhesion, and single function. Herein, a spatial multi‐level physical‐chemical and bio‐inspired in‐situ bonding strategy is proposed, to develop a multifunctional hydrogel bio‐glue using polyglutamic acid (PGA), tyramine hydrochloride (TYR), and tannic acid (TA) as precursors and 4‐(4,6‐dimethoxytriazine‐2‐yl) −4‐methylmorpholine hydrochloride(DMTMM) as condensation agent, which is used for tissue adhesion, hemostasis and repair. By introducing TYR and TA into the PGA chain, it is demonstrated that not only can the strong adhesion of bio‐glue to the surface of various fresh tissues and wet materials be realized through the synergistic effect of spatial multi‐level physical and chemical bonding, but also this glue can be endowed with the functions of anti‐oxidation and hemostasis. The excellent performance of such bio‐glue in the repair of the wound, liver, and cartilage is achieved, showing a great potential in clinical application for such bio‐glue. This study will open up a brand‐new avenue for the development of multifunctional hydrogel biological adhesive.
Breaking the Activity and Stability Bottlenecks of Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reactions in Acids
Authors: Rong Chengli , Dastafkan Kamran , Wang Yuan , Zhao Chuan
Published: August 2023

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a cornerstone reaction for a variety of electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems such as water splitting, CO2/N2 reduction, reversible fuel cells, and metal–air batteries. However, OER catalysis in acids suffers from extra sluggish kinetics due to the additional step of water dissociation along with its multiple electron transfer processes. Furthermore, OER catalysts often suffer from poor stability in harsh acidic electrolytes due to the severe dissolution/corrosion processes. The development of active and stable OER catalysts in acids is highly demanded. Here,  the recent advances in OER electrocatalysis in acids are reviewed and the key strategies are summarized to overcome the bottlenecks of activity and stability for both noble‐metal‐based and noble metal‐free catalysts, including i) morphology engineering, ii) composition engineering, and iii) defect engineering. Recent achievements in operando characterization and theoretical calculations are summarized which provide an unprecedented understanding of the OER mechanisms regarding active site identification, surface reconstruction, and degradation/dissolution pathways. Finally, views are offered on the current challenges and opportunities to break the activity–stability relationships for acidic OER in mechanism understanding, catalyst design, as well as standardized stability and activity evaluation for industrial applications such as proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers and beyond.
Bandgap Engineering of Melon using Highly Reduced Graphene Oxide for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad , Ali Roshan , Khan Ibrahim , Ullah Nisar , Ahmad Muhammad Sohail , Kida Tetsuya , Wooh Sanghyuk , Tremel Wolfgang , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz
Published: August 2023

The uncondensed form of polymeric carbon nitrides (PCN), generally known as melon, is a stacked 2D structure of poly(aminoimino)heptazine. Melon is used as a photocatalyst in solar energy conversion applications, but suffers from poor photoconversion efficiency due to weak optical absorption in the visible spectrum, high activation energy, and inefficient separation of photoexcited charge carriers. Experimental and theoretical studies are reported to engineer the bandgap of melon with highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG). Three HRG@melon nanocomposites with different HRG:melon ratios (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) are prepared. The 1% HRG@melon nanocomposite shows higher photocurrent density (71 µA cm−2) than melon (24 µA cm−2) in alkaline conditions. The addition of a hole scavenger further increases the photocurrent density to 630 µA cm−2 relative to the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). These experimental results are validated by calculations using density functional theory (DFT), which revealed that HRG results in a significant charge redistribution and an improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Insight into Defect Engineering of Atomically Dispersed Iron Electrocatalysts for High‐Performance Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Yi Seung Yeop , Choi Eunho , Jang Ho Yeon , Lee Seonggyu , Park Jinkyu , Choi Daeeun , Jang Yeju , Kang Hojin , Back Seoin , Jang Segeun , Lee Jinwoo
Published: August 2023

Atomically dispersed and nitrogen coordinated iron catalysts (Fe‐NCs) demonstrate potential as alternatives to platinum‐group metal (PGM) catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, in the context of practical proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) performances of Fe‐NCs remain unsatisfactory. Herein, improved MEA performance is achieved by tuning the local environment of the Fe‐NC catalysts through defect engineering. Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)‐derived nitrogen‐doped carbon with additional CO2 activation is employed to construct atomically dispersed iron sites with a controlled defect number. The Fe‐NC species with the optimal number of defect sites exhibit excellent ORR performance with a high half‐wave potential of 0.83 V in 0.5 M H2SO4. Variation in the number of defects allows for fine‐tuning of the reaction intermediate binding energies by changing the contribution of the Fe d‐orbitals, thereby optimizing the ORR activity. The MEA based on a defect‐engineered Fe‐NC catalyst is found to exhibit a remarkable peak power density of 1.1 W cm−2 in an H2/O2 fuel cell, and 0.67 W cm−2 in an H2/air fuel cell, rendering it one of the most active atomically dispersed catalyst materials at the MEA level.
Wireless and Closed‐Loop Smart Dressing for Exudate Management and On‐Demand Treatment of Chronic Wounds
Authors: Ge Zhenyou , Guo Wenshang , Tao Ye , Sun Haoxiu , Meng Xiangyu , Cao Liangyu , Zhang Shanguo , Liu Weiyu , Akhtar Muhammad Luqman , Li Yu , Ren Yukun
Published: August 2023

Chronic wounds have become a significant threat to people's physical and mental health and have increased the burden of social medical care. Intelligent wound dressing (IWD) with wound condition monitoring and closed‐loop on‐demand drug therapy can shorten the healing process and alleviate patient suffering. However, single‐function wound dressings cannot meet the current needs of chronic wound treatment. Here, a wearable IWD consisting of wound exudate management, sensor monitoring, closed‐loop therapy, and flexible circuit modules is reported, which can achieve effective synergy between wound exudate management and on‐demand wound therapy. The dressing is attached to the wound site, and the wound exudate is spontaneously pumped into the microfluidic channel for storage. Meanwhile, the IWD can detect the state of the wound through the temperature and humidity sensor, and use this as feedback to control the liquid metal (LM) heater through a smartphone, thereby realizing the on‐demand drug release from the hydrogel. In a mouse model of infected wounds, IWD accelerates wound healing by reducing inflammatory responses, promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition.
Lipid Nanoparticles Optimized for Targeting and Release of Nucleic Acid
Authors: Jia Yaru , Wang Xiuguang , Li Luwei , Li Fangzhou , Zhang Jinchao , Liang Xing‐Jie
Published: August 2023

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the most promising clinical nucleic acids drug delivery vehicles. LNPs prevent the degradation of cargo nucleic acids during blood circulation. Upon entry into the cell, specific components of the lipid nanoparticles can promote the endosomal escape of nucleic acids. These are the basic properties of lipid nanoparticles as nucleic acid carriers. As LNPs exhibit hepatic aggregation characteristics, enhancing targeting out of the liver is a crucial way to improve LNPs administrated in vivo. Meanwhile, endosomal escape of nucleic acids loaded in LNPs is often considered inadequate, and therefore, much effort is devoted to enhancing the intracellular release efficiency of nucleic acids. Here, different strategies to efficiently deliver nucleic acid delivery from LNPs are concluded and their mechanisms are investigated. In addition, based on the information on LNPs that are in clinical trials or have completed clinical trials, the issues that are necessary to be approached in the clinical translation of LNPs are discussed, which it is hoped will shed light on the development of LNP nucleic acid drugs.
Engineered Hierarchical Microdevices Enable Pre‐Programmed Controlled Release for Postsurgical and Unresectable Cancer Treatment
Authors: Wu Lihuang , Li Junhua , Wang Yuqi , Zhao Xinyue , He Yiyan , Mao Hongli , Tang Wenbo , Liu Rong , Luo Kui , Gu Zhongwei
Published: August 2023

Drug treatment is required for both resectable and unresectable cancers to strive for any meaningful improvement in patient outcomes. However, the clinical benefit of receiving conventional systemic administrations is often less than satisfactory. Drug delivery systems are preferable substitutes but still fail to meet diverse clinical demands due to the difficulty in programming drug release profiles. Herein, a microfabrication concept, termed “Hierarchical Multiple Polymers Immobilization” (HMPI), is introduced and biodegradable‐polymer‐based hierarchical microdevices (HMDs) that can pre‐program any desired controlled release profiles are engineered. Based on the first‐line medication of pancreatic and breast cancer, controlled release of single gemcitabine and the doxorubicin/paclitaxel combination in situ for multiple courses is implemented, respectively. Preclinical models of postsurgical pancreatic, postsurgical breast, and unresectable breast cancer are established, and the designed HMDs are demonstrated as well‐tolerable and effective treatments for inhibiting tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis. The proposed HMPI strategy allows the creation of tailorable and high‐resolution hierarchical microstructures for pre‐programming controlled release according to clinical medication schedules, which may provide promising alternative treatments for postsurgical and unresectable tumor control.
N‐Methylquinuclidinium‐Based Anion Exchange Membrane with Ultrahigh Alkaline Stability
Authors: Zeng Mengying , He Xianying , Wen Ju , Zhang Ganbing , Zhang Hongbo , Feng Hanhua , Qian Yu , Li Ming
Published: August 2023

Anion‐exchange‐membrane (AEM) water electrolysis is a promising technology for hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. However, the bottleneck of its development is the poor comprehensive performance of AEM, especially the stability at highly concentrated alkaline condition and temperature. Herein, a new cationic group N‐methylquinuclidinium with enhanced alkaline stability is proposed and hereby a full‐carbon chain poly(aryl quinuclidinium) AEM is prepared. Compared with reported AEMs, it shows ultrahigh comprehensive alkaline stability (no chemical decomposition, no decay of conductivity) in 10 m NaOH aqueous solution at 80 °C for more than 1800 h, excellent dimensional stability (swelling ratio: <10% in pure water, <2% in 10 m NaOH) in OH− form at 80 °C, high OH− conductivity (≈139.1 mS cm−1 at 80 °C), and high mechanical properties (tensile strength: 41.5 MPa, elongation at break: 50%). The water electrolyzer using the AEM exhibits a high current density (1.94 A cm−2 at 2.0 V) when assembled with nickel‐alloy foam electrodes, and high durability when assembled with nickel foam electrodes.
Revealing the Friction Stress of Microalgae in Microfluidic Devices through Mechanofluorochromism
Authors: Casimiro Lorenzo , Métivier Rémi , Le Pioufle Bruno , Bensalem Sakina , Allain Clémence
Published: August 2023

Polydiacetylenes are deeply investigated for their mechanofluorochromic behavior: the blue, non‐emitting solid phase, obtained by photopolymerization of the diacetylene precursor, is converted to the red, emitting one by a mechanical stimulus. Inspired by the great potentiality of these compounds to act as microscale force probes, the mechanofluorochromism is implemented in microalgae biotechnology. Indeed, mechanical solicitations in a microfluidic chip can weaken the cellular envelope and facilitate the extraction of high‐added value compounds produced by the microalgae. Herewith, a polydiacetylene‐based mechanofluorochromic sensor is reported to be able to detect the stress applied to microalgae in microchannels. A triethoxysilane diacetylene precursor is designed that photopolymerizes in a purple, low‐emissive phase, and is converted to the red, high‐emissive phase upon mechanical stress. Hereafter, a protocol is set up to chemically graft in the microfluidic channels a polydiacetylene layer, and eventually proves that upon compression of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii microalgae in restricted areas, the friction stress is revealed by the mechanofluorochromic response of the polydiacetylene, leading to a marked fluorescence enhancement up to 83%. This prototype of microscale force probes lays the ground for microscale stress detection in microfluidics environments, which can be applied not only to microalgae but also to any mechano‐responsive cellular sample.