bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3/Bi2S3 Cascade Heterostructure for Fast‐Response and High‐Photoresponsivity Photodetector and High‐Efficiency Water Splitting with a Small Bias Voltage
Authors: Lu Chunhui , Luo Mingwei , Dong Wen , Ge Yanqing , Han Taotao , Liu Yuqi , Xue Xinyi , Ma Nan , Huang Yuanyuan , Zhou Yixuan , Xu Xinlong
Published: December 2022

Large‐scale multi‐heterostructure and optimal band alignment are significantly challenging but vital for photoelectrochemical (PEC)‐type photodetector and water splitting. Herein, the centimeter‐scale bismuth chalcogenides‐based cascade heterostructure is successfully synthesized by a sequential vapor phase deposition method. The multi‐staggered band alignment of Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3/Bi2S3 is optimized and verified by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PEC photodetectors based on these cascade heterostructures demonstrate the highest photoresponsivity (103 mA W−1 at −0.1 V and 3.5 mAW−1 at 0 V under 475 nm light excitation) among the previous reports based on two‐dimensional materials and related heterostructures. Furthermore, the photodetectors display a fast response (≈8 ms), a high detectivity (8.96 × 109 Jones), a high external quantum efficiency (26.17%), and a high incident photon‐to‐current efficiency (27.04%) at 475 nm. Due to the rapid charge transport and efficient light absorption, the Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3/Bi2S3 cascade heterostructure demonstrates a highly efficient hydrogen production rate (≈0.416 mmol cm−2 h−1 and ≈14.320 µmol cm−2 h−1 with or without sacrificial agent, respectively), which is far superior to those of pure bismuth chalcogenides and its type‐II heterostructures. The large‐scale cascade heterostructure offers an innovative method to improve the performance of optoelectronic devices in the future.
Manipulating the Crystallization and Phase Transition for High‐Performance CsPbI2Br Solar Cells
Authors: Shan Shiqi , Xu Chang , Wu Haotian , Niu Benfang , Fu Weifei , Zuo Lijian , Chen Hongzheng
Published: December 2022

The inorganic perovskite solar cells (IPSC) are promising in the context of simultaneously delivering high efficiency and good stability. Developing a high‐performance and larger band gap IPSC is particularly in demand for commercialization due to their suitability to match with the prevailing silicon solar cells for tandem devices, while this is hindered by the poor morphology and phase stability of inorganic perovskite films. To address this issue, this work develops a combined method of nonstoichiometric composition and post‐cation exchange to improve the morphology and phase stability of the CsPbI2Br IPSCs, and achieves a record efficiency of 17.80%. This work finds that excessive PbI2 regulates the CsPbI2Br film crystallization, and thus, a high‐quality perovskite film with enlarged grains is obtained. Further depositing the formamidinium iodide on top of the CsPbI2Br perovskite induces cation exchange during the post‐annealing process, which increases the phase stability of the perovskite film and significantly improves the device efficiency and stability. Therefore, this work provides an avenue toward high‐performance IPSCs, via the nonstoichiometric and ion exchange method.
Short supply chains and the adoption of fungus‐resistant grapevine varieties
Authors: Finger Robert , Zachmann Lucca , McCallum Chloe
Published: December 2022

Using fungus‐resistant grapevine varieties can reduce pesticide use substantially, while maintaining production quantity and quality. Using survey data from 775 producers in Switzerland, we investigate the adoption of fungus‐resistant varieties and especially analyze the relevance of marketing channels and short supply chains. We find that 20.1% of respondents use fungus‐resistant varieties but the acreage is only 1.2%. Our results narrow down to a simple conclusion: the less distant the producer is from the final consumer, the more likely they use fungus‐resistant varieties. For example, producers selling their wine mainly via direct marketing have a higher (8%–38%) uptake of fungus‐resistant varieties.
The clinical relevance of detectable plasma iron species in iron overload states and subsequent to intravenous iron‐carbohydrate administration
Authors: Garbowski Maciej W. , Cabantchik Ioav , Hershko Chaim , Hider Robert , Porter John B.
Published: December 2022

Many disorders of iron homeostasis (e.g., iron overload) are associated with the dynamic kinetic profiles of multiple non‐transferrin bound iron (NTBI) species, chronic exposure to which is associated with deleterious end‐organ effects. Here we discuss the chemical nature of NTBI species, challenges with measuring NTBI in plasma, and the clinical relevance of NTBI exposure based on source (iron overload disorder vs. intravenous iron‐carbohydrate complex administration). NTBI is not a single entity but consists of multiple, often poorly characterized species, some of which are kinetically non‐exchangeable while others are relatively exchangeable. Prolonged presence of plasma NTBI is associated with excessive tissue iron accumulation in susceptible tissues, with consequences, such as endocrinopathy and heart failure. In contrast, intravenous iron‐carbohydrate nanomedicines administration leads only to transient NTBI appearance and lacks evidence for association with adverse clinical outcomes. Assays to measure plasma NTBI are typically technically complex and remain chiefly a research tool. There have been two general approaches to estimating NTBI: capture assays and redox‐activity assays. Early assays could not avoid capturing some iron from transferrin, thus overestimating NTBI. By contrast, some later assays may have promoted the donation of NTBI species to transferrin during the assay procedure, potentially underestimating NTBI levels. The levels of transferrin saturation at which NTBI species have been detectable have varied between different methodologies and between patient populations studied.
Crown tissue proportions and enamel thickness distribution in early Pleistocene Homo antecessor maxillary premolars (Atapuerca, Spain)
Authors: Martín‐Francés Laura , Martinón‐Torres María , de Pinillos Marina Martínez , Xing Song , Soligo Christophe , García‐Campos Cecilia , Modesto‐Mata Mario , de Castro José María Bermúdez
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Both morphometric and proteomic studies have revealed the close relationship of Homo antecessor with Neanderthals and H. sapiens. Considering this relationship, we aim to characterize the Early Pleistocene Atapuerca‐Gran Dolina (TD6) maxillary premolars to test if their pattern of enamel thickness is shared with Neanderthals or H. sapiens.

Materials and Methods

We employed microcomputed tomography to estimate 2D and 3D tissue proportions in seven H. antecessor maxillary premolars, belonging to two individuals: H1 and H3, and compared them to a sample of extinct and extant Homo populations of African, Asian and European origin (n = 52).

Results

Our results reveal a different pattern of enamel thickness between the Atapuerca‐Gran Dolina two individuals. While TD6‐H1 possesses thin‐enameled crowns, with a clear affinity with Neanderthals, TD6‐H3 exhibits the thick pattern, a trait shared with the majority of fossil hominins and H. sapiens.

Discussion

This work provides new data on upper premolar enamel thickness in H. antecessor. By documenting both a thin and a thick pattern of enamel thickness in the TD6 sample, we warn about the taxonomic utility of this feature in the characterization of isolated remains. We suggest that the thin enamel condition would have emerged during the Early Pleistocene and it became the most frequent and typical condition in Neanderthals. Possible causes for the pattern observed in TD6 include sexual dimorphism or presence of two populations in the sample; however, population variability is the most plausible explanation with a character expression intermediate between those of Neanderthals and other members of the genus Homo. This interpretation is compatible with the phylogenetic position of H. antecessor close to the ancestor of Neanderthals and H. sapiens.
Microbial metabolite succinate activates solitary chemosensory cells in the human sinonasal epithelium
Authors: Sell Elizabeth A. , Tan Li Hui , Lin Cailu , Bosso John V. , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D. , Lee Robert J. , Kohanski Michael A. , Reed Danielle R. , Cohen Noam A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Succinate, although most famous for its role in the Krebs cycle, can be released extracellularly as a signal of cellular distress, particularly in situations of metabolic stress and inflammation. Solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) express SUCNR1, the succinate receptor, and modulate type 2 inflammatory responses in helminth and protozoal infections in the small intestine. SCCs are the dominant epithelial source of interleukin‐25, as well as an important source of cysteinyl leukotrienes in the airway, and have been implicated as upstream agents in type 2 inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma.

Methods

In this study, we used scRNAseq analysis, live cell imaging of intracellular calcium from primary sinonasal air‐liquid interface (ALI) cultures from 1 donor, and measure antimicrobial peptide release from 5 donors to demonstrate preliminary evidence suggesting that succinate can act as a stimulant of SCCs in the human sinonasal epithelium.

Results

Results from scRNAseq analysis show that approximately 10% of the SCC/ionocyte cluster of cells expressed SUCNR1 as well as a small population of immune cells. Using live cell imaging of intracellular calcium, we also demonstrate that clusters of cells on primary sinonasal ALI cultures initiated calcium‐mediated signaling in response to succinate stimulation. Furthermore, we present evidence that primary sinonasal ALI cultures treated with succinate had increased levels of apical beta‐defensin 2, an antimicrobial peptide, compared to treatment with a control solution.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings demonstrate the need for further investigation into the activation of the sinonasal epithelium by succinate in the pathogenesis of CRS.
Mayo‐PACC: A parsimonious preclinical Alzheimer's disease cognitive composite comprised of public‐domain measures to facilitate clinical translation
Authors: Stricker Nikki H. , Twohy Erin L. , Albertson Sabrina M. , Karstens Aimee J. , Kremers Walter K. , Machulda Mary M. , Fields Julie A. , Jack Clifford R. , Knopman David S. , Mielke Michelle M. , Petersen Ronald C.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

We aimed to define a Mayo Preclinical Alzheimer's disease Cognitive Composite (Mayo‐PACC) that prioritizes parsimony and use of public domain measures to facilitate clinical translation.

Methods

Cognitively unimpaired participants aged 65 to 85 at baseline with amyloid PET imaging were included, yielding 428 amyloid negative (A‐) and 186 amyloid positive (A+) individuals with 7 years mean follow‐up. Sensitivity to amyloid‐related cognitive decline was examined using slope estimates derived from linear mixed models (difference in annualized change across A+ and A‐ groups). We compared differences in rates of change between Mayo‐PACC and other composites (A+ > A‐ indicating more significant decline in A+).

Results

All composites showed sensitivity to amyloid‐related longitudinal cognitive decline (A+ > A‐ annualized change p < 0.05). Comparisons revealed that Mayo‐PACC (AVLT sum of trials 1‐5+6+delay, Trails B, animal fluency) showed comparable longitudinal sensitivity to other composites.

Discussion

Mayo‐PACC performs similarly to other composites and can be directly translated to the clinic.
Biomarkers of Migraine and Cluster Headache: Differences and Similarities
Authors: Messina Roberta , Sudre Carole H. , Wei Diana Y. , Filippi Massimo , Ourselin Sebastien , Goadsby Peter J.
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study was undertaken to identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers that differentiate migraine from cluster headache patients and imaging features that are shared.

Methods

Clinical, functional, and structural MRI data were obtained from 20 migraineurs, 20 cluster headache patients, and 15 healthy controls. Support vector machine algorithms and a stepwise removal process were used to discriminate headache patients from controls, and subgroups of patients. Regional between‐group differences and association between imaging features and patients' clinical characteristics were also investigated.

Results

The accuracy for classifying headache patients from controls was 80%. The classification accuracy for discrimination between migraine and controls was 89%, and for cluster headache and controls it was 98%. For distinguishing cluster headache from migraine patients, the MRI classifier yielded an accuracy of 78%, whereas MRI–clinical combined classification model achieved an accuracy of 99%. Bilateral hypothalamic and periaqueductal gray (PAG) functional networks were the most important MRI features in classifying migraine and cluster headache patients from controls. The left thalamic network was the most discriminative MRI feature in classifying migraine from cluster headache patients. Compared to migraine, cluster headache patients showed decreased functional interaction between the left thalamus and cortical areas mediating interoception and sensory integration. The presence of restlessness was the most important clinical feature in discriminating the two groups of patients.

Interpretation

Functional biomarkers, including the hypothalamic and PAG networks, are shared by migraine and cluster headache patients. The thalamocortical pathway may be the neural substrate that differentiates migraine from cluster headache attacks with their distinct clinical features. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:729–742
Extra Movements in Healthy People: Challenging the Definition and Diagnostic Practice of Tic Disorders
Authors: Bartha Stefanie , Bluschke Annet , Rawish Tina , Naumann Kim E. R. , Wendiggensen Paul , Bäumer Tobias , Roessner Veit , Münchau Alexander , Beste Christian
Published: December 2022

The occurrence of motor/vocal tics, that is, “extra movements” and/or “extra vocalizations,” is the leading diagnostic criterion for tic disorders. We show that extra movements are common also in healthy controls, so that a surplus of movements per se is not indicative of the presence of a tic disorder. This questions the usefulness of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition criteria for tic disorders in clinical practice. Apparently, it is not solely a surplus of movements that defines tic disorders. Instead, movement characteristics and patterns seem to play a crucial role. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:472–478
Charge‐Segregated Stacking Structure with Anisotropic Electric Conductivity in NIR‐Absorbing and Emitting Positively Charged π‐Electronic Systems
Authors: Yamasumi Kazuhisa , Ueda Kentaro , Haketa Yohei , Hattori Yusuke , Suda Masayuki , Seki Shu , Sakai Hayato , Hasobe Taku , Ikemura Ryoya , Imai Yoshitane , Ishibashi Yukihide , Asahi Tsuyoshi , Nakamura Kazuto , Maeda Hiromitsu
Published: December 2022

Squarylium‐based π‐electronic cation with an augmented dipole was synthesized by methylation of zwitterionic squarylium. The cation formed various ion pairs in combination with anions, and the ion pairs exhibited distinct photophysical properties in the dispersed state, ascribed to the formation of J‐ and H‐aggregates. The ion pairs provided solid‐state assemblies based on cation stacking. It is noteworthy that complete segregation of cations and anions was observed in a pseudo‐polymorph of the ion pair with pentacyanocyclopentadienide as a π‐electronic anion. In the crystalline state, the ion pairs exhibited photophysical properties and electric conductivity derived from cation stacking. In particular, the charge‐segregated ion‐pairing assembly induces an electric conductive pathway along the stacking axis. The charge‐segregated mode and fascinating properties were derived from the reduced electrostatic repulsion between adjacent π‐electronic cations via dipole–dipole interactions.
On the Edge of the Known: Extremely Electron‐Rich (Di)Carboranyl Phosphines
Authors: Schulz Jan , Clauss Reike , Kazimir Aleksandr , Holzknecht Sieglinde , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: December 2022

The syntheses of the first B9‐connected carboranylphosphines (B9‐Phos) featuring two carboranyl moieties as well as access to B9‐Phos ligands with bulky electron‐donating substituents, previously deemed unattainable, is reported. The electrochemical properties of the B9‐Phos ligands were investigated, revealing the ability of the mesityl derivatives to form stabilized phosphoniumyl radical cations. The B9‐Phos ligands display an extremely electron‐releasing character surpassing that of alkyl phosphines and commonly used N‐heterocyclic carbenes. This is demonstrated by their very small Tolman electronic parameters (TEPs) as well as extremely low P−Se coupling constants. Cone angles and buried volumes attest to the high steric demand exerted by the (di)carboranyl phosphines. The dicarboranyl phosphine AuI complexes show superior catalytic performance in the hydroamination of alkynes compared to the monocarboranyl phosphine analogs.
Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Heliotropium eichwaldi L and neuroprotective potential via anticholinesterase inhibition in rat brain
Authors: Sher Naila , Ahmed Mushtaq , Mushtaq Nadia
Published: December 2022

Nanoparticles (NPs) are the fundamental backbone of nanotechnology due to their wide biomedical applications. Biogenic synthesis of gold NPs (AuNPs) using plant extracts are beneficial due to their nontoxicity, eco‐friendliness, and simplicity. In this study, the HE‐AuNPs were synthesized using Heliotropium eichwaldi L (HE) extract and then characterized by UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform–infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), and electron diffraction X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. UV–vis spectroscopy revealed a sharp peak λmax 567 nm, FT‐IR analysis confirmed the existence of different coating and reducing organic molecules, SEM analysis showed the elongated rod‐shaped morphologies with 20 nm size, XRD analysis authorized the crystalline structure of AuNPs with an average size of 11.11 nm for four key peaks (38.31°, 44.39°, 64.76°, and 77.65°), and EDX analysis revealed that Au (44.33%) was the main element of AuNPs compared to other surface coated elements C (35.05%) and O (20.62%). The influence of various intrinsic factors like pH, temperature, metal salt, HE extract, contact time, and stability period was also studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. Moreover, the AuNps were evaluated for their anti‐cholinesterase (anti‐AChE) potential to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). HE‐AuNPs exhibited superb anti‐AChE activity (67 ± 0.03%) with 88 ± 0.31 μg IC50, compared to pure Au salt, which showed 7 ± 0.22% inhibition. According to the Lineweaver–Burk plot, HE‐AuNPs inhibit AChE noncompetitively, that is, Km remains unchanged, whereas Vmax decreased from 20 to 6.24 (42.4% to 82%). HE‐AuNPs do not affect KIapp, whereas increased Vmaxiapp from 17.5 to 29 (13% to 86.4%). The Km (Michaelis–Menten kinetic constants), KI (dissociation constant), and Ki (inhibitory constant) were found to be 0.041 mM, 66 μg, and 25 μg, respectively. Overall, our results highlighted the HE‐AuNPs promising latent as anti‐AChE, and the green methodology allows us to suggest these NPs as suitable agents for the development of drugs helpful in the treatment of AD.
Fabrication of eco‐friendly superhydrophobic and superoleophilic PHB‐SiO2 bionanofiber membrane for gravity‐driven oil/water separation
Authors: Sariipek Fatma Bayram , Gündoğdu Yasemin , Kiliç Hamdi Şükür
Published: December 2022

In this study, eco‐friendly superhydrophobic (SH) and superoleophilic (SO) poly (3‐hydroxybuthyrate) (PHB)‐SiO2 bio‐nanofiber membrane has been successfully fabricated for oil–water separation. Firstly, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been synthesized via green laser ablation technique. It was placed into PHB matrix in different contents by controlling the time of ablation and then PHB‐SiO2 nanofibrous mats were obtained on commercial stainless‐steel mesh with various mesh sizes by electrospinning method. The surface morphology and chemical structure of all obtained samples have been characterized by FT‐IR, FE‐SEM and HR‐TEM techniques. It has been observed that SiNPs obtained within 30 min ablation time, with an average size distribution between 10 nm and 200 nm with spherical shape have been uniformly anchored on PHB nanofibers. PHB‐SiO2 fibrous membrane has shown superhydrophobicity with maximum water contact angle of 160.23° and superoleophilicity with oil contact angle (OCA) of being nearly 0° in air. Later, SH and SO membranes were directly employed for oil water separation without using any chemical reagent or additional force, and maximum efficiency of separation higher than 99% has been measured. These results has indicated that environmental friendly PHB‐SiO2 bio‐nanofiber membrane offers high potential for using in gravity‐driven oil–water separation.
Nickel alginate‐enhanced fire safety of aluminum diethylphosphinate on epoxy resin
Authors: Liu Chang , Li Ping , Xu Ying‐Jun , Liu Yun , Zhu Ping
Published: December 2022

To attain superior fire safety epoxy resins (EP), aluminum diethylphosphonate (AlPi) and nickel alginate were incorporated to EP in different proportions. The synergistic flame retardant effects between AlPi and nickel alginate on fire safety and mechanical properties of EP were investigated in detail. EP/AlPi9.5‐Nickel Alginate0.5 acquired the UL‐94 V‐0 rating with the highest limiting oxygen index value (28.9%). Besides, the thermal decomposition behaviors of the samples were researched by thermogravimetric analysis, implying that EP/AlPi‐Nickel Alginate exhibited the better thermal stability and char‐forming ability. Compared with EP, the peak heat release rate and total heat release were declined by 58.3% and 12.8%. And the addition of nickel alginate reduced the release of smoke. In particular, the incorporation of AlPi and nickel alginate increased the impact strength, flexural strength and glass transition temperature of EP. In perspective, the synergistic effect of bio‐based nickel alginate and AlPi opens a practicable avenue in decreasing the fire risk and improving the mechanical properties of EP.
Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies on carbon‐coated and iodine‐doped LiFeBO3 as a cathode material for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Jeong Yujin , Kumar Rajeev , Lee Youngil
Published: December 2022

In this study, monoclinic LiFeBO3 was carbon‐coated and iodine doped via a solid‐state reaction to improve the electrochemical performance of pristine LiFeBO3 as cathode material in lithium‐ion batteries. In order to enhance the electrical conductivity of LiFeBO3, the highly electronegative iodide anion was doped in a limited amount (x = 0.005) at the oxygen site of the borate to produce LiFeBO3−xI2x. A thin carbon layer was then deposited in situ on the LiFeBO2.995I0.01 particles (to produce “LFBI/C”) to protect them from air and moisture. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) data indicated the aggregated morphology of the synthesized samples. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and 7Li magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements revealed that both the doped and undoped LiFeBO3‐based samples had mainly monoclinic structures, although a small amount of a vonsenite‐type phase was formed upon iodine doping. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) data confirmed the successful insertion of iodine in the cathode material. The specific discharge capacity of LFBI/C at 0.05 C rate (144.68 mAh g−1) was higher than that of carbon‐coated LiFeBO3 (122.46 mAh g−1). The increased capacity of LFBI/C was also evident in long charge–discharge cycles conducted at 1 C rate and in the overall rate performance. Interestingly, the iodine‐doped sample exhibited significantly high specific discharge capacity even at 10 C rate.
Neural correlates of lexical stress processing in a foreign free‐stress language
Authors: Schwab Sandra , Mouthon Michael , Jost Lea B. , Salvadori Justine , Stefanos‐Yakoub Ilona , da Silva Eugénia Ferreira , Giroud Nathalie , Perriard Benoit , Annoni Jean‐Marie
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The paper examines the discrimination of lexical stress contrasts in a foreign language from a neural perspective. The aim of the study was to identify the areas associated with word stress processing (in comparison with vowel processing), when listeners of a fixed‐stress language have to process stress in a foreign free‐stress language.

Methods

We asked French‐speaking participants to process stress and vowel contrasts in Spanish, a foreign language that the participants did not know. Participants performed a discrimination task on Spanish word pairs differing either with respect to word stress (penultimate or final stressed word) or with respect to the final vowel while functional magnetic resonance imaging data was acquired.

Results

Behavioral results showed lower accuracy and longer reaction times for discriminating stress contrasts than vowel contrasts. The contrast Stress > Vowel revealed an increased bilateral activation of regions shown to be associated with stress processing (i.e., supplementary motor area, insula, middle/superior temporal gyrus), as well as a stronger involvement of areas related to more domain‐general cognitive control functions (i.e., bilateral inferior frontal gyrus). The contrast Vowel > Stress showed an increased activation in regions typically associated with the default mode network (known for decreasing its activity during attentionally more demanding tasks).

Conclusion

When processing Spanish stress contrasts as compared to processing vowel contrasts, native listeners of French activated to a higher degree anterior networks including regions related to cognitive control. They also show a decrease in regions related to the default mode network. These findings, together with the behavioral results, reflect the higher cognitive demand, and therefore, the larger difficulties, for French‐speaking listeners during stress processing as compared to vowel processing.
Exogenous recombinant Hsp70 attenuates sevoflurane anesthesia‐induced cognitive dysfunction in aged mice
Authors: Xie Yongxiang , Huang Jianzhong , Chen Yijia
Published: December 2022

Background

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a severe postoperative neurological sequela in elderly patients, and there is currently no standard treatment for POCD. In this study, whether recombinant human heat shock protein 70 (rHsp70) could alleviate sevoflurane‐induced cognitive impairment in aged mice is investigated.

Methods

To determine the prophylactic effect of rHsp70 in sevoflurane‐induced cognitive dysfunction, aged mice were pretreated with different concentrations of rHsp70 (29.4, 58.8, and 117.6 μg/kg; intranasal injected; N = 12) every day for 1 week; then, 3% sevoflurane was utilized to anesthetize the aged mice. Cognitive function, neurotoxicity, and serum and hippocampal Hsp70 levels in aged mice undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia were assessed by the Morris water maze test and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of rHsp70 on inflammatory response were assessed by proinflammatory cytokine production and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation assays.

Results

We found that aged mice exposed to sevoflurane showed reduced learning and memory ability and reduced Hsp70 expression, which were both restored by rHsp70 pretreatment. RHsp70 also reversed sevoflurane‐induced up‐regulated Bax and Bcl‐2 expression and interleukin‐1, IL‐6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 overproduction. Finally, rHsp70 pretreatment suppressed sevoflurane‐induced NF‐κB activation. Our study indicated that rHsp70 was sufficient to suppress sevoflurane‐induced cognitive decline and neurotoxicity.

Conclusion

Our important finding warrants further study on the clinical application of rHsp70 in elderly patients undergoing anesthesia.
Environmental design as a component of block‐based programming
Authors: Geng Zhirong
Published: December 2022

The research purpose is to analyze how block‐based programming, introduced in parallel with classical school education, will be an effective tool for developing environmental awareness among students. The research proposes a well‐developed theoretical program on environmental literacy and a practical Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) project creating an eco‐house model with a weather station and alternative energy sources in a regular secondary school in Shanghai. The sample involved school students of the seventh grade, equally divided into two groups: the control group (learnt only a theoretical program) and the experimental group (learnt both a theoretical program and a practical STEM project). At the end of the school year, students passed an environmental literacy test. The differences between the control and experimental groups were statistically significant. The experimental group has the advantage in all parameters: it has the highest scores and a large number of students who showed a high and very high level of knowledge. The results prove the methodology effectiveness of the experimental group in terms of developing sensitivity to the environment, cognitive abilities, ecological analysis, and preserving the environment. It was found that overall academic performance correlates significantly with both test scores and project scores. The highest scores were for the project, which indicates the effectiveness of block‐based programming in the learning of the experimental group, their implementation of new ideas based on the acquired knowledge, success in decision‐making, and experience that went beyond previous achievements.
Long noncoding RNA SNHG4 promotes the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through the miR‐211‐5p/CREB5 axis
Authors: Qiu Jiannan , Wang Peng , Chen Zheng , Zhou Yan , Zhang Guang , Wang Zhongxia , Wu Junhua , Zhu Qiang , Jiang Chunping
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main death‐leading malignant tumors which deserve in‐depth explorations to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms. Plenty of proofs have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in malignancy and progression of HCC. Nevertheless, the definite role of lncRNA‐SNHG4 in HCC remains vague.

Methods

To figure out the role of SNHG4 in HCC, the bioinformatics analysis and functional assays and in vivo assay were performed.

Results

Our findings demonstrated that the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) displayed that the higher expression of lncRNA SNHG4 was detected in HCC tissues, which predicted the poor prognosis. The upregulation of SNHG4 was positively associated with worse clinicopathological characteristics. The functional experiments were performed to identify the role of SNHG4 in HCC. We found that SNHG4 enhanced the proliferative, migratory and invasive capacities of HCC cell line, and facilitated the tumor growth in vivo. A series of follow‐up studies have shown that SNHG4 promoted the progression and malignancy of HCC through upregulating CREB5 via sponging miR‐211‐5p.

Conclusion

Collectively, the above findings suggest that SNHG4 promotes HCC malignancy through the SNHG4/miR‐211‐5p/CREB5 axis, providing potential therapeutic targets and prognostic factors for HCC.

Highlights

SNHG4 is overexpressed in HCC and correlated with the poor clinical characteristics

SNHG4 promotes the malignant progression of HCC by reducing miR‐211‐5p expression

MiR‐211‐5p inhibits CREB5 expression in HCC

The oncogenic effect of SNHG4 in HCC can be reversed by CREB5 silencing
Genomic analysis of aggressive ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroaki , Kosaka Takeo , Nakamura Kohei , Kimura Tokuhiro , Nishihara Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: December 2022

Background

Genomic profile analysis using next‐generation sequencing can potentially elucidate the pathogenesis of rare cancers. Ductal adenocarcinoma, a rare subtype of prostate cancer, has an aggressive nature. This is the first study to analyze the genomic profile of ductal adenocarcinoma in an Asian population.

Methods

We identified 12 patients newly diagnosed with ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate at two hospitals, and nine patients (75.0%) had the pure type. Genomic assessment was performed using either the PleSSision testing platform or FoundationOne CDx.

Results

At least one genomic alteration occurred in 11 patients (91.7%), and the most frequently mutated gene was tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53), which was found in six cases (50.0%). Alterations characteristic of this cohort were found in four cases (33.3%) of retinoblastoma transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1), which was only observed in the pure type. Compared to previous study results, the frequency of genetic alterations in the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway (n = 3; 25.0%) and Wnt‐β‐catenin pathway (n = 5; 41.7%) was comparable, but no alterations in the DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway were observed. None of the patients presented high tumor mutation burden or microsatellite instability.

Conclusions

We found that the Asian cohort with ductal adenocarcinoma had actionable alterations, and a high frequency of alterations in TP53 and RB1 reflected the aggressive nature of the tumor. Genetic analysis using next‐generation sequencing is expected to help elucidate the pathogenesis of ductal adenocarcinoma.
Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Fungal Strains Isolated fromPiper nigrumRoots: Experimental and Computational Approaches
Authors: Luyen Nguyen Dinh , Huong Le Mai , Ha Nguyen Thi Thu , Tra Nguyen Thanh , Anh Le Thi Tu , Tuyen Nguyen Van , Posta Katalin , Son Ninh The , Pham‐The Hai
Published: December 2022

The current report describes the chemical investigation and biological activity of extracts produced by three fungal strainsFusarium oxysporum,Penicillium simplicissimum, andFusarium proliferatumisolated from the roots ofPiper nigrum L. growing in Vietnam. These fungi were namely determined by morphological and DNA analyses. GC/MS identification revealed that the EtOAc extracts of these fungi were associated with the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. These EtOAc extracts showed cytotoxicity towards cancer cell lines HepG2, inhibited various microbacterial organisms, especially fungusAspergillus nigerand yeastCandida albicans(the MIC values of 50–100 μg/mL). In α‐glucosidase inhibitory assay, they induced the IC50values of 1.00‐2.53 μg/mL were better than positive control acarbose (169.80 μg/mL). The EtOAc extract ofF. oxysporumalso showed strong anti‐inflammatory activity against NO production and PGE‐2 level. Four major compounds linoleic acid (37.346 %), oleic acid (27.520 %), palmitic acid (25.547 %), and stearic acid (7.030 %) from the EtOAc extract ofF. oxysporumwere selective in molecular docking study, by which linoleic and oleic acids showed higher binding affinity towards α‐glucosidase than palmitic and stearic acids. In subsequent docking assay with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid could be moderate inhibitors.
Design, Synthesis, and Structure‐Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies of Ketone‐Isobenzofuranone Hybrid Herbicides
Authors: Chotsaeng Nawasit
Published: December 2022

Thirty‐five ketone‐isobenzofuranone hybrids (1–35) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their herbicidal activity against Chinese amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus‐galli). The structure‐activity relationship (SAR) results revealed that the position and type of substituent were crucial for activity. The o‐substituted derivatives outperformed the m‐ and p‐substituted derivatives. Compounds with strong electron‐donating groups (OH, OMe) had low activity, while those with heterocycles (N‐methylpyrrole, furan, and thiophene) had a moderate herbicidal effect. Compounds with a weak electron‐donating group (Me) and weak, moderate, and strong electron‐withdrawing groups (F, Cl, Br, and NO2) showed promising herbicidal activity. Among these, the o‐F substituted compound (20) was the most effective against Chinese amaranth, and the o‐Cl substituted compound (23) was the most potent against barnyard grass. This is the first time the herbicidal potential of ketone‐isobenzofuranone hybrids has been studied. The discovery of current chemical clues would be beneficial for the development of novel herbicides.
Prenatal smoking, drinking, or caffeine does not affect ADHD symptoms in offspring
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: December 2022

A recent study has found that in contrast to some previously published studies, maternal prenatal substance use with legal substances is not associated with offspring attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For the study, researchers measured associations between prenatal smoking, alcohol, and caffeine consumption with childhood ADHD symptoms. They took into consideration shared familial factors.
One‐Pot Tandem Coupling Method for the Short‐Step Formal Synthesis of Riccardin C
Authors: Kobatake Miho , Miyoshi Norikazu , Ueno Masaharu
Published: December 2022

One‐pot reactions reduce reagent amounts and circumvent process treatments, such as work‐up and purifications in multi‐step reactions. In this study, we achieved the formal total synthesis of riccardin C through a one‐pot reaction by simultaneously linking four units through two Sonogashira coupling reactions and one Suzuki coupling reaction, followed by reduction and deprotection. Thus, this one‐pot method comprised five steps and did not require the purification of intermediate reaction mixtures, which saves resources, such as reagents and solvents, and expedites the work process.
Strategies for Improving the Brightness of Aggregation‐Induced Emission Materials at Aggregate Level†
Authors: Gui Yixiong , Chen Keyao , Sun Yan , Tan Yonghong , Luo Wenshuai , Zhu Dongxia , Xiong Yu , Yan Dingyuan , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: December 2022

Comprehensive Summary

The brightness of fluorescent agents directly determines the imaging performance as required. Among various fluorophores, small organic species are promising given its exact purity/composition and excellent processibility. However, chromophores with planar geometry may suffer from the undesirable aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) phenomenon. Encouragingly, luminogens showing aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) features are preferable as the aggregates which are the most common used state. In this review, we mainly focus on the strategies employed for boosting the brightness of AIE‐active luminogens (AIEgens). From molecule to morphology levels, approaches that regulate electronic transition processes of the molecule or the packing extent of aggregates in order to confine molecular motion, reduce π‐π stacking, disrupt fluorophore‐water interactions, etc., are presented. In the end, the current challenges and perspectives are briefly discussed. We anticipate that this review will stimulate new insights and more efforts for the advancement of ultrabright AIEgens.
Novel traffic congestion detection algorithms for smart city applications
Authors: Bawaneh Mohammad , Simon Vilmos
Published: December 2022

Traffic congestion detection (TCD) techniques are becoming a critical component of traffic management systems. They can be considered a pre‐step to address traffic jam problems, providing useful input for traffic management systems to predict and avoid traffic congestions' unwanted effects. In this research article, two novel real‐time congestion detection algorithms are proposed, the TCD algorithm and the ensemble based traffic congestion detection (EB‐TCD) algorithm. TCD can detect the congestion based on one traffic feature (i.e., speed, occupancy, or flow). TCD first cleans and preprocesses the traffic data. After, it computes the absolute of the first derivative of each sample in the traffic feature to determine its anomaly score. Then, the anomaly likelihood of each sample is computed to classify it as an anomaly or normal sample. On the other hand, EB‐TCD utilizes the information contained in multiple traffic features in parallel by proposing an ensemble technique to combine the anomaly scores coming out from the different traffic features in one unified score. EB‐TCD computes an anomaly score based on each traffic feature separately. Then, it votes for each sample in each traffic feature as an anomaly or not (from the corresponding traffic feature's point of view). After, the weight for each traffic feature is determined by studying the dissimilarity between their anomaly scores. These weights show how much each traffic feature explains the traffic behavior. Finally, the results are combined to form a unified anomaly score for each sample. The proposed statistical‐based techniques are able to detect changes in traffic patterns while mitigating the effect of noise in traffic data. Moreover, the proposed algorithms' parameters were tuned and tailored for fast detection, which is a crucial feature for traffic management systems since fast detection accelerates decision‐making. The computational complexity analysis has shown the simplicity of the proposed algorithms. Furthermore, the evaluation results have shown that the two algorithms outperform other widespread methods from the literature in terms of false alarm rate and detection time while keeping the detection rate at the same high level.
An efficient trust inference model in online social networks using fuzzy petri nets
Authors: Yarava Anitha , Bindu C. Shoba
Published: December 2022

Sharing and exchanging of information among the group of users is the objective of social networks. With the growing popularity of the internet applications, many of the interactions are among the unknown users. Estimation of the user trustworthiness prior to conversation with him can increase the confidence level of a person in taking right decisions. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google+ are some of the most popular social networks, where the similar kinds of users share their messages and photos. In this article, the proposed method “Trust Inference Model in Online Social Networks Using Fuzzy Petri Nets (TMFPN)” computes the user trust value through two phases, that is, direct and indirect using twitter user data set. The direct trust of a user is evaluated based on his social activities like (follower count, listed count, mentions received, re tweets received, and posts) using fuzzy inference model. For the users those are not in direct interaction, indirect trust is computed. Proposed method‐TMFPN gathers network information through trust propagation and models the social network as a fuzzy petri net. Where users and interactions are considered as places and transitions, respectively. Here the concurrent reasoning algorithm (CRA) is applied over the converted FPN, for the selection of reliable trustworthy paths between two users at multiple hops distance. Performance of the proposed method is verified theoretically and practically. In the experiment results, performance of TMFPN is compared with existing trust computing methods in computation of indirect trust of multihop away users.
Unconventional Phase Synergies with Doping Engineering Over Ni Electrocatalyst Featuring Regulated Electronic State for Accelerated Urea Oxidation
Authors: Li Ping , Li Wenqin , Huang Yuqi , Huang Quhua , Li Jixin , Zhao Shien , Tian Shuanghong
Published: December 2022

Exploring high‐performing Ni‐based electrocatalysts for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is crucial for developing urea‐related energy technologies yet remains a daunting challenge. In this study, a synergistic anomalous hcp phase and heteroatom doping engineering over metallic Ni are found to enhance the UOR. A metal‐organic framework‐mediated approach is proposed to construct Ni nanoparticles (NPs) with designated crystal phase embedded in N‐doped carbon (fcc‐Ni/NC and hcp‐Ni/NC). Significant crystal phase‐dependent catalytic activity for the UOR is observed; hcp‐Ni/NC, featuring unusual hcp phase, outperforms fcc‐Ni/NC with conventional fcc phase. Moreover, incorporating foreign Mn species in hcp‐Ni/NC can further dramatically promote UOR, making it among the best UOR catalysts reported to date. From experimental results and DFT calculations, the specific nanoarchitecture, involving an anomalous hcp phase together with Mn doping engineering, endows hcp‐MnNi/NC with abundant exposed active sites, facile charge transfer, and more significantly, optimized electronic state, giving rise to enriched Ni3+ active species and oxygen vacancies on the catalyst surface during electrocatalysis. These features collectively contribute to the enhanced UOR activity. This work highlights a potent design strategy to develop advanced catalysts with regulated electronic state through synergistic crystal phase and doping engineering.
Dynamic cell sleeping mechanism: An energy‐efficient approach for Mobile 5G HetCN
Authors: Borah Janmoni , Sheikh Tasher Ali , Bora Joyatri
Published: December 2022

The paper proposes a novel cell sleeping mechanism for enhancing network energy‐efficiency and to combat dynamic downlink interferences linked with mobile Small Cells (mSCs) in a 5G Heterogeneous Cellular Network (HetCN). The proposed Dynamic Mobile Cell Sleeping Mechanism (DMCSM) allows deployed vehicle‐mounted mSCs to dynamically go into sleep based on the calculated distances of users from its serving mSCs BS. With this mechanism, vehicular mSCs during mobility dynamically calculate their distances with the Macrocell (MC) users. The mSCs go into sleep or get deactivated for a while based on the calculated distance and the cell radius defined for mSCs. The mSCs will get active and starts to provide services to the users that are found within their coverage radius. The setup 5G HetCN is investigated with a MC superimpose with fixed SCs (fSCs) and mobile SCs (mSCs). The proficiency of DMCSM is investigated with the exploitation of existing sub 6 GHz groups at MCs and the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrums at deployed fSCs and mSCs. The network downlink performance metrics: user throughput, sumrate, energy‐efficiency, and outage probability, have been explored. The work also depicts a comparison of the proposed DMCSM mechanism with the author's previously proposed ICI mitigation techniques.
Gastric‐type duodenal neoplasms with rapid growth: A report of two cases
Authors: Sawada Rikimaru , Kimoto Yoshiaki , Furuta Koichi , Nagae Shinya , Ito Yohei , Takeuchi Nao , Takayanagi Shunya , Kano Yuki , Ishii Rindo , Sakuno Takashi , Negishi Ryoju , Ono Kohei , Minato Yohei , Muramoto Takashi , Hashimoto Hirotsugu , Morikawa Teppei , Ohata Ken
Published: December 2022

While duodenal neoplasms of the gastric phenotype are uncommon and their natural history is unknown, gastric neoplasms of gastric phenotype reportedly grow rapidly and can invade the submucosa. Several studies suggest that duodenal neoplasms of gastric phenotype might have a high risk of deep invasion and lymph node metastasis.

Duodenal neoplasms of gastric phenotype might also have a high biological malignancy and likely require early treatment if detected. Here, we report two cases of intramucosal duodenal carcinoma with a gastric phenotype that grew rapidly but was successfully resected endoscopically.