bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-time observation of two distinctive non-thermalized hot electron dynamics at MXene/molecule interfaces
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Wei , Zhao Ruixuan , Tang Peizhe , Zhao Jie , Wu Guorong , Chen Xin , Hu Mingjun , Yuan Kaijun , Li Jiebo , Yang Xueming
Published: May 2024

The photoinduced non-thermalized hot electrons at an interface play a pivotal role in determining plasmonic driven chemical events. However, understanding non-thermalized electron dynamics, which precedes electron thermalization (~125 fs), remains a grand challenge. Herein, we simultaneously captured the dynamics of both molecules and non-thermalized electrons in the MXene/molecule complexes by femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. The real-time observation allows for distinguishing non-thermalized and thermalized electron responses. Differing from the thermalized electron/heat transfer, our results reveal two non-thermalized electron dynamical pathways: (i) the non-thermalized electrons directly transfer to attached molecules at an interface within 50 fs; (ii) the non-thermalized electrons scatter at the interface within 125 fs, inducing adsorbed molecules heating. These two distinctive pathways are dependent on the irradiating wavelength and the energy difference between MXene and adsorbed molecules. This research sheds light on the fundamental mechanism and opens opportunities in photocatalysis and interfacial heat transfer theory.
Host defence peptide plectasin targets bacterial cell wall precursor lipid II by a calcium-sensitive supramolecular mechanism
Authors: Jekhmane Shehrazade , Derks Maik G. N. , Maity Sourav , Slingerland Cornelis J. , Tehrani Kamaleddin H. M. E. , Medeiros-Silva João , Charitou Vicky , Ammerlaan Danique , Fetz Céline , Consoli Naomi A. , Cochrane Rachel V. K. , Matheson Eilidh J. , van der Weijde Mick , Elenbaas Barend O. W. , Lavore Francesca , Cox Ruud , Lorent Joseph H. , Baldus Marc , Künzler Markus , Lelli Moreno , Cochrane Stephen A. , Martin Nathaniel I. , Roos Wouter H. , Breukink Eefjan , Weingarth Markus
Published: May 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is a leading cause of mortality, calling for the development of new antibiotics. The fungal antibiotic plectasin is a eukaryotic host defence peptide that blocks bacterial cell wall synthesis. Here, using a combination of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, atomic force microscopy and activity assays, we show that plectasin uses a calcium-sensitive supramolecular killing mechanism. Efficient and selective binding of the target lipid II, a cell wall precursor with an irreplaceable pyrophosphate, is achieved by the oligomerization of plectasin into dense supra-structures that only form on bacterial membranes that comprise lipid II. Oligomerization and target binding of plectasin are interdependent and are enhanced by the coordination of calcium ions to plectasin’s prominent anionic patch, causing allosteric changes that markedly improve the activity of the antibiotic. Structural knowledge of how host defence peptides impair cell wall synthesis will likely enable the development of superior drug candidates.
Transfontanellar shear wave elastography of the neonatal brain for quantitative evaluation of white matter damage
Authors: Faure Flora , Alison Marianne , Francavilla Mariantonietta , Boizeau Priscilla , Guilmin Crepon Sophie , Lim Chung , Planchette Gregory , Prigent Mickael , Frérot Alice , Tanter Mickael , Demené Charlie , Baud Olivier , Biran Valérie
Published: May 2024

Cerebral white matter damage (WMD) is the most frequent brain lesion observed in infants surviving premature birth. Qualitative B-mode cranial ultrasound (cUS) is widely used to assess brain integrity at bedside. Its limitations include lower discriminatory power to predict long-term outcomes compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Shear wave elastography (SWE), a promising ultrasound imaging modality, might improve this limitation by detecting quantitative differences in tissue stiffness. The study enrolled 90 neonates (52% female, mean gestational age = 30.1 $$\pm \hspace{0.17em}$$

±

4.5 weeks), including 78 preterm and 12 term controls. Preterm neonates underwent B-mode and SWE assessments in frontal white matter (WM), parietal WM, and thalami on day of life (DOL) 3, DOL8, DOL21, 40 weeks, and MRI at term equivalent age (TEA). Term infants were assessed on DOL3 only. Our data revealed that brain stiffness increased with gestational age in preterm infants but remained lower at TEA compared to the control group. In the frontal WM, elasticity values were lower in preterm infants with WMD detected on B-mode or MRI at TEA and show a good predictive value at DOL3. Thus, brain stiffness measurement using SWE could be a useful screening method for early identification of preterm infants at high WMD risk.

Registration numbers: EudraCT number ID-RCB: 2012-A01530-43, ClinicalTrial.gov number NCT02042716.
Fluorescence shadow imaging of Hypsibius exemplaris reveals morphological differences between sucrose- and CaCl2-induced osmobiotes
Authors: Flinn Brendin B. , O’Dell Hayden M. , Joseph Kara M. , Smythers Amanda L. , Neff David P. , Hicks Leslie M. , Norton Michael L. , Kolling Derrick R. J.
Published: May 2024

Tardigrades are renowned for their ability to survive a wide array of environmental stressors. In particular, tardigrades can curl in on themselves while losing a significant proportion of their internal water content to form a structure referred to as a tun. In surviving varying conditions, tardigrades undergo distinct morphological transformations that could indicate different mechanisms of stress sensing and tolerance specific to the stress condition. Methods to effectively distinguish between morphological transformations, including between tuns induced by different stress conditions, are lacking. Herein, an approach for discriminating between tardigrade morphological states is developed and utilized to compare sucrose- and CaCl2-induced tuns, using the model species Hypsibius exemplaris. A novel approach of shadow imaging with confocal laser scanning microscopy enabled production of three-dimensional renderings of Hys. exemplaris in various physiological states resulting in volume measurements. Combining these measurements with qualitative morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy revealed that sucrose- and CaCl2-induced tuns have distinct morphologies, including differences in the amount of water expelled during tun formation. Further, varying the concentration of the applied stressor did not affect the amount of water lost, pointing towards water expulsion by Hys. exemplaris being a controlled process that is adapted to the specific stressors.
Correlation and risk factors of peripheral and cervicocephalic arterial atherosclerosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Li Lu-guang , Ma Xin , Zhao Xiaoxi , Du Xiangying , Ling Chen
Published: May 2024

Patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) frequently develop concomitant peripheral artery disease (PAD) or renal artery stenosis (RAS), and multiterritorial atherosclerotic patients usually have a worse prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the status of peripheral atherosclerosis (AS) and cervicocephalic AS (CAS) in ICVD patients with AS, their correlation, and related risk factors contributing to coexisting cervicocephalic-peripheral AS (CPAS). Based on the severity and extent of AS evaluated by computed tomography angiography and ultrasound, the degree of AS was triple categorized to assess the correlation between CAS and PAD/RAS. CAS and PAD/RAS were defined as the most severe stenosis being ≥ 50% luminal diameter in cervicocephalic or lower limb arteries, and a peak systolic velocity at the turbulent site being ≥ 180 cm/s in the renal artery. Among 403 patients with symptom onset within 30 days, CAS, PAD, and RAS occurrence rates were 68.7%, 25.3%, and 9.9%, respectively. PAD was independently associated with the degree of extracranial and intracranial CAS (p = 0.042, OR = 1.428, 95% CI 1.014–2.012; p = 0.002, OR = 1.680, 95% CI 1.206–2.339), while RAS was independently associated with the degree of extracranial CAS (p = 0.001, OR = 2.880, 95% CI 1.556–5.329). Independent CPAS risk factors included an ischemic stroke history (p = 0.033), increased age (p < 0.01), as well as elevated fibrinogen (p = 0.021) and D-dimer levels (p = 0.019). In conclusion, the occurrence rates of RAS and PAD in ICVD patients with AS is relatively high, and with the severity of RAS or PAD increase, the severity of CAS also increase. Strengthening the evaluation of peripheral AS and controlling elevated fibrinogen might be crucial for preventing and delaying the progression of multiterritorial AS in ICVD patients with AS, thereby improving risk stratification and promoting more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Characterization of clinical data for patient stratification in moderate osteoarthritis with support vector machines, regulatory network models, and verification against osteoarthritis Initiative data
Authors: Segarra-Queralt Maria , Galofré Mar , Tio Laura , Monfort Jordi , Monllau Joan Carlos , Piella Gemma , Noailly Jérôme
Published: May 2024

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis is based on symptoms, assessed through questionnaires such as the WOMAC. However, the inconsistency of pain recording and the discrepancy between joint phenotype and symptoms highlight the need for objective biomarkers in knee OA diagnosis. To this end, we study relationships among clinical and molecular data in a cohort of women (n = 51) with Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2–3 knee OA through a Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a regulation network model. Clinical descriptors (i.e., pain catastrophism, depression, functionality, joint pain, rigidity, sensitization and synovitis) are used to classify patients. A Youden’s test is performed for each classifier to determine optimal binarization thresholds for the descriptors. Thresholds are tested against patient stratification according to baseline WOMAC data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, and the mean accuracy is 0.97. For our cohort, the data used as SVM inputs are knee OA descriptors, synovial fluid proteomic measurements (n = 25), and transcription factor activation obtained from regulatory network model stimulated with the synovial fluid measurements. The relative weights after classification reflect input importance. The performance of each classifier is evaluated through ROC-AUC analysis. The best classifier with clinical data is pain catastrophism (AUC = 0.9), highly influenced by funcionality and pain sensetization, suggesting that kinesophobia is involved in pain perception. With synovial fluid proteins used as input, leptin strongly influences every classifier, suggesting the importance of low-grade inflammation. When transcription factors are used, the mean AUC is limited to 0.608, which can be related to the pleomorphic behaviour of osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Nevertheless, funcionality has an AUC of 0.7 with a decisive importance of FOXO downregulation. Though larger and longitudinal cohorts are needed, this unique combination of SVM and regulatory network model shall help to stratify knee OA patients more objectively.
PAU Smart Seeder: a novel way forward for rice residue management in North-west India
Authors: Manpreet-Singh  , Chaleka A. T. , Goyal Rajesh , Gupta Naveen , Singh Arshdeep , Singh Manpreet , Sharma Sandeep , Dixit Anoop Kumar , Malik Anurag , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Mattar Mohamed A.
Published: May 2024

In winter, the paddy residues become wet during morning and late evening due to dew, which restricts the operation of sowing machines (Happy Seeder and Super Seeder) into paddy residues, as wet residues do not slide on furrow openers/tines. A PAU Smart Seeder (PSS) was developed and evaluated for a four-wheel tractor that can sow wheat with optimum crop establishment in combined harvested rice fields. The PSS were evaluated for its performance under varying straw load, forward speed, and rotor speed in terms of fuel consumption, field capacity, seed emergence, and grain yield. The crop establishment and wheat yield of PSS was also compared with the existing straw management machines Happy Seeder (HS) and Super Seeder (SS) under heavy paddy residue conditions. The effect of the straw load was more pronounced on dependent variables than the effect of the speed index. PSS performance was best at a forward speed of 2.6 km h−1, rotor speed of 127.5 rpm, and a straw load of 6 t ha−1. Average fuel consumption using PSS was lower than SS but higher than HS. Wheat emergence was higher by 15.6 and 25.7% on the PSS plots compared to HS and SS, respectively. Average wheat grain yield in PSS plots was significantly higher by 12.7 and 18.9% than SS and HS, respectively in one experiment, while the grain yield was similar for both PSS and HS in other experiments. PSS has a novel mechanism to manage paddy straw and simultaneously sow wheat into a heavy straw load (> 8 t ha−1) mixture of anchored and loose straw. In conclusion, PSS showed promise for in-situ management of rice straw as it eliminates most of the operational problems encountered by the existing seeders (HS and SS).
Assessment of image quality and impact of deep learning-based software in non-contrast head CT scans
Authors: Bos Denise , Demircioğlu Aydin , Neuhoff Julia , Haubold Johannes , Zensen Sebastian , Opitz Marcel K. , Drews Marcel A. , Li Yan , Styczen Hanna , Forsting Michael , Nassenstein Kai
Published: May 2024

In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the objective and subjective image quality of different reconstruction techniques and a deep learning-based software on non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) images. In total, 152 adult head CT scans (77 female, 75 male; mean age 69.4 ± 18.3 years) obtained from three different CT scanners using different protocols between March and April 2021 were included. CT images were reconstructed using filtered-back projection (FBP), iterative reconstruction (IR), and post-processed using a deep learning-based algorithm (PS). Post-processing significantly reduced noise in FBP-reconstructed images (up to 15.4% reduction) depending on the protocol, leading to improvements in signal-to-noise ratio of up to 19.7%. However, when deep learning-based post-processing was applied to FBP images compared to IR alone, the differences were inconsistent and partly non-significant, which appeared to be protocol or site specific. Subjective assessments showed no significant overall improvement in image quality for all reconstructions and post-processing. Inter-rater reliability was low and preferences varied. Deep learning-based denoising software improved objective image quality compared to FBP in routine head CT. A significant difference compared to IR was observed for only one protocol. Subjective assessments did not indicate a significant clinical impact in terms of improved subjective image quality, likely due to the low noise levels in full-dose images.
Development of an alginate–chitosan biopolymer composite with dECM bioink additive for organ-on-a-chip articular cartilage
Authors: Upadhyay Upasna , Kolla Saketh , Maredupaka Siddhartha , Priya Swapna , Srinivasulu Kamma , Chelluri Lakshmi Kiran
Published: May 2024

In vitro use of articular cartilage on an organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) via microfluidics is challenging owing to the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of numerous protein moieties and few chondrocytes, which has limited proliferation potential and microscale translation. Hence, this study proposes a novel approach for using a combination of biopolymers and decellularised ECM (dECM) as a bioink additive in the development of scalable OOAC using a microfluidic platform. The bioink was tested with native chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cell-induced chondrocytes using biopolymers of alginate and chitosan composite hydrogels. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic tissue construction approaches have been used to characterise the morphology and cellular marker expression (by histology and confocal laser scanning microscopy), viability (cell viability dye using flow cytometry), and genotypic expression of ECM-specific markers (by quantitative PCR). The results demonstrated that the bioink had a significant impact on the increase in phenotypic and genotypic expression, with a statistical significance level of p < 0.05 according to Student’s t-test. The use of a cell-laden biopolymer as a bioink optimised the niche conditions for obtaining hyaline-type cartilage under culture conditions, paving the way for testing mechano-responsive properties and translating these findings to a cartilage-on-a-chip microfluidics system.
FAT1 inhibits the proliferation of DLBCL cells via increasing the m6A modification of YAP1 mRNA
Authors: Wang Tian-long , Miao Xiao-juan , Shuai Yan-rong , Sun Hao-ping , Wang Xiao , Yang Min , Zhang Nan
Published: May 2024

Emerging evidence shows that FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1) mutations occur in lymphoma and are associated with poorer overall survival. Considering that diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the category of lymphoma with the highest incidence rate, this study aims to explore the role of FAT1 in DLBCL. The findings demonstrate that FAT1 inhibits the proliferation of DLBCL cell lines by downregulating the expression of YAP1 rather than by altering its cellular localization. Mechanistic analysis via meRIP-qPCR/luciferase reporter assays showed that FAT1 increases the m6A modification of YAP1 mRNA 3′UTR and the subsequent binding of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D (HNRNPD) to the m6A modified YAP1 mRNA, thus decreasing the stability of YAP1 mRNA. Furthermore, FAT1 increases YAP1 mRNA 3′UTR m6A modification by decreasing the activity of the TGFβ-Smad2/3 pathway and the subsequent expression of ALKBH5, which is regulated at the transcriptional level by Smad2/3. Collectively, these results reveal that FAT1 inhibits the proliferation of DLBCL cells by increasing the m6A modification of the YAP1 mRNA 3’UTR via the TGFβ-Smad2/3-ALKBH5 pathway. The findings of this study therefore indicate that FAT1 exerts anti-tumor effects in DLBCL and may represent a novel target in the treatment of this form of lymphoma.
Climate summits and protests have a strong impact on climate change media coverage in Germany
Authors: Lochner Jakob H. , Stechemesser Annika , Wenz Leonie
Published: May 2024

Media inform the public, thereby influencing societal debates and political decisions. Despite climate change’s importance, drivers of media attention to climate change remain differently understood. Here we assess how different sociopolitical and extreme weather events affect climate change media coverage, both immediately and in the weeks following the event. To this end, we construct a data set of over 90,000 climate change articles published in nine major German newspapers over the past three decades and apply fixed effects panel regressions to control for confounders. We find that United Nations Climate Change Conferences affect coverage most strongly and most persistently. Climate protests incite climate coverage that extends well beyond the reporting on the event itself, whereas many articles on weather extremes do not mention climate change. The influence of all events has risen over time, increasing the media prominence of climate change.
naRNA-LL37 composite DAMPs define sterile NETs as self-propagating drivers of inflammation
Authors: Bork Francesca , Greve Carsten L , Youn Christine , Chen Sirui , N C Leal Vinicius , Wang Yu , Fischer Berenice , Nasri Masoud , Focken Jule , Scheurer Jasmin , Engels Pujan , Dubbelaar Marissa , Hipp Katharina , Zalat Baher , Szolek Andras , Wu Meng-Jen , Schittek Birgit , Bugl Stefanie , Kufer Thomas A , Löffler Markus W , Chamaillard Mathias , Skokowa Julia , Kramer Daniela , Archer Nathan K , Weber Alexander N R
Published: May 2024

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a key antimicrobial feature of cellular innate immunity mediated by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). NETs counteract microbes but are also linked to inflammation in atherosclerosis, arthritis, or psoriasis by unknown mechanisms. Here, we report that NET-associated RNA (naRNA) stimulates further NET formation in naive PMNs via a unique TLR8-NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pathway. Keratinocytes respond to naRNA with expression of psoriasis-related genes (e.g., IL17, IL36) via atypical NOD2-RIPK signaling. In vivo, naRNA drives temporary skin inflammation, which is drastically ameliorated by genetic ablation of RNA sensing. Unexpectedly, the naRNA-LL37 ‘composite damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP)’ is pre-stored in resting neutrophil granules, defining sterile NETs as inflammatory webs that amplify neutrophil activation. However, the activity of the naRNA-LL37 DAMP is transient and hence supposedly self-limiting under physiological conditions. Collectively, upon dysregulated NET release like in psoriasis, naRNA sensing may represent both a potential cause of disease and a new intervention target.
Ligand redox controlled amine dehydrogenation and imine hemilability in singlet diradical azo-aromatic Ni(ii) complexes: characterization of the electron transfer series of azo-imine complexes of Ni(ii)
Authors: Goswami Bappaditya , Khatua Manas , Devi Ambika , Hans Shivali , Chatterjee Robindo , Samanta Subhas
Published: May 2024

Singlet diradical Ni(ii) complexes [1] and [2] of azo-amine and azo-imine ligands have shown ligand redox-induced amine dehydrogenation and imine hemilability, respectively.
C(sp3)–H cyclizations of 2-(2-vinyl)phenoxy-tert-anilines
Authors: Dunkel Petra , Bogdán Dóra , Deme Ruth , Zimber Ádám , Ballayová Veronika , Csizmadia Eszter , Kontra Bence , Kalydi Eszter , Bényei Attila , Mátyus Péter , Mucsi Zoltán
Published: May 2024

Cyclizations of 2-(2-vinyl)phenoxy-tert-anilines under thermal conditions yield oxazonine or octahydro-dipyrroloquinoline products. The transformations can be considered as further extensions of [1,n]-H transfer and cyclization of tertiary anilines.
Combining NMR and impedance spectroscopy in situ to study the dynamics of solid ion conductors
Authors: Adediwura Sheyi Clement , Mathew Neeshma , Schmedt auf der Günne Jörn
Published: May 2024

Unwanted differences in the apparent ion mobilities as seen by NMR and impedance spectroscopy are removed by a setup that allows measuring both on the same, by which in situ studies of interface stability and phase transitions become possible.
Navigating the challenges and exploring the perspectives associated with emerging novel biomaterials
Authors: Rajeev Ashwin , Kansara Krupa , Bhatia Dhiraj
Published: May 2024

The field of biomaterials is a continuously evolving interdisciplinary field encompassing biological sciences, materials sciences, chemical sciences, and physical sciences with a multitude of applications realized every year.
Mineral acid-triggered multicolor room-temperature phosphorescence nanoprobes for time-resolved bioimaging
Authors: Feng Zhixia , Xu Wenxin , Zhang Jinpan , Dai Peiling , Zhang Jiawei , Zhao Qiang , Cui Mingyue , Song Bin , He Yao
Published: May 2024

Color-tunability RTP nanoprobes are achieved by doping mineral acids in an organic silicon scaffold through a cross-linking process. The as-prepared nanoprobes enable multiple imaging in live cells with high signal-to-background ratio.
All-atom molecular dynamics simulations of polymer and polyelectrolyte brushes
Authors: Ishraaq Raashiq , Das Siddhartha
Published: May 2024

New discoveries on polymer and polyelectrolyte brush systems and the corresponding brush-supported ions and water, arising from employing all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, have been thoroughly reviewed.
Multi-fidelity machine learning for predicting bandgaps of nonlinear optical crystals
Authors: Yu Zhaoxi , Xue Pujie , Xie Bin-Bin , Shen Lin , Fang Wei-Hai
Published: May 2024

Experimental bandgaps of nonlinear optical crystals can be predicted more accurately in presence of calculated bandgaps using a multi-fidelity machine learning model.
Atomic-scale insights in the interplay of chemical composition and chirality in two-dimensional chiral perovskites
Authors: Inui Guilherme K. , Besse Rafael , González José E. , Da Silva Juarez L. F.
Published: May 2024

Transfer of chirality, inducing octahedral distortions in two-dimensional chiral perovskites, impacts the electronic structure via Rashba–Dresselhaus effects, and is influenced by chemical compositions, which also dictates band offsets.
Selective hydrogenation of high concentration acetylene over the well-defined crystalline sites of Pd1Cu1 and Pd1Cu3
Authors: Pei Junqi , Xu Yamei , Yang Qiuchen , Hou Ruijun
Published: May 2024

The Pd1Cu1 crystalline site inhibits excessive hydrogenation and oligomerization and exhibits superior ethylene selectivity and stability.
Efficiently solving the curse of feature-space dimensionality for improved peptide classification
Authors: Negovetić Mario , Otović Erik , Kalafatovic Daniela , Mauša Goran
Published: May 2024

Efficient feature extraction and selection from SMILES format of large AMP and small CAT dataset for ML-based prediction.
Spin crossover in dinuclear iron(ii) complexes bridged by bis-bipyridine ligands: dimer effects on electronic structure, spectroscopic properties and spin-state switching
Authors: Trommer Clara , Kuhlemann Eike , Engesser Tobias A. , Walter Marcel , Thakur Sangeeta , Kuch Wolfgang , Tuczek Felix
Published: May 2024

Two bipyridine-based bisbidentate ligands with an ethynyl- and a dimethoxy-phenylene bridge, respectively, are used to bridge two [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2] units (pz = pyrazolyl), leading to charge-neutral dinuclear iron(ii) compounds.
Elevating the energetic capabilities of metal coordination compounds by incorporating nitrate anions
Authors: Yadav Abhishek Kumar , Rajak Richa , Dharavath Srinivas
Published: May 2024

In the realm of energetic materials research, there has been notable interest in energetic coordination compounds (ECCs) owing to their remarkable thermal stability and resistance to mechanical stimuli.
Lifetimes of pre-reactive complexes of peroxy radicals revisited: thermostat effects, temperature dependence and highly oxygenated molecules
Authors: Daub Christopher David , Skog Robert , Kurtén Theo
Published: May 2024

Simulated pre-reactive complex lifetime is proportional to experimental measurements of the reactivity of peroxy radicals. This extends to measurements over a range of temperatures.
Reduction of dinitrogen to ammonium through a magnesium-based electrochemical process at close-to-ambient temperature
Authors: Krebsz Melinda , Hodgetts Rebecca Y. , Johnston Sam , Nguyen Cuong K. , Hora Yvonne , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Simonov Alexandr N.
Published: May 2024

While direct nitridation of magnesium requires high temperatures, we demonstrate that an electrodeposited, magnesium metal surface can activate N2 at close-to-ambient temperature, and the resulting material can be converted into ammonium.
Lignin-derived bionanocomposites as functional food packaging materials
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Rauf Zahid , Fatima Seerat , Ullah Aman
Published: May 2024

Harnessing lignin, which is the second most abundant biopolymer and is cost-effective, biocompatible, and nontoxic, could be a promising alternative to conventional food packaging materials.
Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements: balancing out the pros and cons
Authors: Fernandes Filipa A. , Carocho Márcio , Prieto Miguel A. , Barros Lillian , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Heleno Sandrina A.
Published: May 2024

While the market is full of different dietary supplements, in most countries, legislation is clear and strict towards these products, with severe limitations on their health claims.
Reducing hot carrier cooling rate in metal halide perovskites through lead vacancies: time-domain ab initio analysis
Authors: Hu Junguang , Li Ning , Xie Junping , Pei Yong , Prezhdo Oleg V. , Li Wei
Published: May 2024

Pb vacancies slow down hot carrier cooling dynamics in MAPbI3 perovskites by introducing intraband states that can trap holes and by decreasing the deformation of the [PbI6]4− octahedron, which leads to weakened electron–phonon coupling.
Facile one-pot synthesis of the mesoporous chitosan-coated cobalt ferrite nanozyme as an antibacterial and MRI contrast agent
Authors: Kajani Abolghasem Abbasi , Pouresmaeili Ali , Kamali Mehdi
Published: May 2024

The hydrothermal synthesis of monodispersed and mesoporous chitosan coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with high magnetic, antibacterial, and peroxidase activity.
Selective hydrogenation of vanillin over a graphene-encapsulated nitrogen-doped bimetallic magnetic Ni/Fe@NDC nano-catalyst
Authors: Mi Siyi , Chen Lungang , Zhang Xinghua , Zhang Qi , Ma Longlong , Liu Jianguo
Published: May 2024

One of the main obstacles to the development of sustainable biomass feedstocks today is the research of selective hydrogenation of biomass platform compounds for the synthesis of high-value chemicals.
Core–shell Pd(0)@His-SiO2/CoFe2O4 nano-composite as a magnetically recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for the deprotection of oximes and Heck coupling
Authors: Sharma Vrinda , Choudhary Anu , Sharma Surbhi , Vaid Gunjan , Paul Satya
Published: May 2024

Rational engineering of core–shell nanostructure-based catalysts have received significant attention owing to their potential for exhibiting unique properties such as durability, structural flexibility, and porous shell adaptability.
A triphenylamine scaffold for fluorogenic sensing of noxious cyanide via the ICT mechanism and its bioimaging application
Authors: Biswas Amitav , Mukherjee Rimi , Maji Atanu , Naskar Rahul , Aich Krishnendu , Murmu Nabendu , Mondal Tapan K.
Published: May 2024

A novel triphenylamine benzimidazole-based fluorogenic chemosensor (PBIA) has been developed for the selective and efficient detection of CN−.
Particle mobility and macroscopic magnetorheological effects for polyurethane magnetic elastomers
Authors: Urano Rio , Watanabe Kaito , Chen Kejun , Liang Xiandun , Kawai Mika , Mitsumata Tetsu
Published: May 2024

The critical magnetic field of magnetic elastomers was proportional to the storage modulus at 0 mT, suggesting that the force required to move the magnetic particles increases proportionally to the storage modulus at 0 mT.
Biodegradable and wood adhesive polyesters based on lignin-derived 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid
Authors: Jin Yijie , Araki Takuma , Kamimura Naofumi , Masai Eiji , Nakamura Masaya , Michinobu Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2024

Lignin-derived 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid is a biodegradable polymer unit that is also useful as a strong adhesive to wood.
Supramolecular interactions using β-cyclodextrin in controlling perovskite solar cell performance
Authors: Ferdowsi Parnian , Kim Sun-Ju , Nguyen Thanh-Danh , Seo Ji-Youn , Yum Jun-Ho , Sivula Kevin
Published: May 2024

By incorporating β-cyclodextrin, mitigation of residual PbI2 crystallization, control of perovskite chemistry, and uniform crystal growth, leading to improved solar cell performance and stability were demonstrated.
Electrocatalytic FeFe2O4 embedded, spermine-imprinted polypyrrole (Fe/MIPpy) nanozymes for cancer diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Zaman Iqra , Liaqat Amna , Athar Sadaf , Mujahid Adnan , Afzal Adeel
Published: May 2024

A breakthrough disposable cancer diagnostic using FeFe2O4 embedded, biomimetic polypyrrole nanozymes as an electrocatalytic receptor layer for the selective detection of spermine, an indicator of breast cancer, in human saliva.
Development of a specific fluorescent probe to detect advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
Authors: Cho Heewon , Hong Na-Kyeong , Yong Insung , Kwon Haw-Young , Kang Nam-Young , Ciaramicoli Larissa Miasiro , Kim Pilnam , Chang Young-Tae
Published: May 2024

A novel fluorescent probe, AGO, systematically detects advanced glycation end products involved in aging.
Near room temperature multilevel resistive switching memory with thin film ionic liquid crystals
Authors: Zhang Wenzhong , Maruyama Shingo , Kaminaga Kenichi , Matsumoto Yuji
Published: May 2024

Multilevel operation of nonvolatile resistive random-access memory devices was demonstrated using thin films of an ionic liquid crystal, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C12mim][BF4]), as a resistive switching layer.
Design of cobalt phosphate/nickel phosphate films with improved electrochromic performance
Authors: Chi Xiaotong , Chen Dairong , Wang Ting , Jiao Xiuling
Published: May 2024

The composite metal phosphate film (CoHPO4/NiHPO4 film) shows excellent electrochromic properties including good optical modulation, fast switching time, high charge capacity, high coloration efficiency and outstanding cycling stability.
Timely symbiosis: circadian control of legume-rhizobia symbiosis
Authors: Rowson Monique , Jolly Matthew , Dickson Suzanna , Gifford Miriam L. , Carré Isabelle
Published: May 2024

Legumes house nitrogen-fixing endosymbiotic rhizobia in specialised polyploid cells within root nodules. This results in a mutualistic relationship whereby the plant host receives fixed nitrogen from the bacteria in exchange for dicarboxylic acids. This plant-microbe interaction requires the regulation of multiple metabolic and physiological processes in both the host and symbiont in order to achieve highly efficient symbiosis. Recent studies have showed that the success of symbiosis is influenced by the circadian clock of the plant host. Medicago and soybean plants with altered clock mechanisms showed compromised nodulation and reduced plant growth. Furthermore, transcriptomic analyses revealed that multiple genes with key roles in recruitment of rhizobia to plant roots, infection and nodule development were under circadian control, suggesting that appropriate timing of expression of these genes may be important for nodulation. There is also evidence for rhythmic gene expression of key nitrogen fixation genes in the rhizobium symbiont, and temporal coordination between nitrogen fixation in the bacterial symbiont and nitrogen assimilation in the plant host may be important for successful symbiosis. Understanding of how circadian regulation impacts on nodule establishment and function will identify key plant-rhizobial connections and regulators that could be targeted to increase the efficiency of this relationship.
Study on the corrosion behaviour of carbon nanotubes/graphene/WPU coated steel
Authors: Shi Yiqing , Peng Xinyuan , Ye Zhiguo , Ding Yi , Liu Sen
Published: May 2024

The bond strength, resistivity and corrosion resistance of Q235 steel coated with composites containing various concentrations of carbon nanotubes, graphene and waterborne polyurethane (CNTs/Gr/WPU) were evaluated in a 5% NaCl solution. Additionally, the galvanic corrosion between the coated steel and galvanised steel was investigated through galvanic potential, galvanic current, corrosion morphology and corrosion rate. The results show that the CNTs/Gr/WPU‐coated steel exhibits excellent adhesion and conductivity. Moreover, the incorporation of CNTs and Gr can effectively enhance the corrosion resistance of the CNTs/Gr/WPU‐coated steels in the 5% NaCl solution. The trends of the galvanic potentials and galvanic current densities of CNTs/Gr/WPU‐coated steel with different mass fractions coupled with galvanised steel are similar. The CNTs/Gr/WPU‐coated steels exhibit severe galvanic corrosion when coupled with galvanised steel.
ADF‐Net: Attention‐guided deep feature decomposition network for infrared and visible image fusion
Authors: Shen Sen , Zhang Taotao , Dong Haidi , Yuan ShengZhi , Li Min , Xiao RenKai , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: May 2024

To effectively enhance the ability to acquire information by making full use of the complementary features of infrared and visible images, the widely used image fusion algorithm is faced with challenges such as information loss and image blurring. In response to this issue, the authors propose a dual‐branch deep hierarchical fusion network (ADF‐Net) guided by an attention mechanism. Initially, the attention convolution module extracts the shallow features of the image. Subsequently, a dual‐branch deep decomposition feature extractor is introduced, where in the transformer encoder block (TEB) employs remote attention to process low‐frequency global features, while the CNN encoder block (CEB) extracts high‐frequency local information. Ultimately, the global fusion layer based on TEB and the local fusion layer based on CEB produce the fused image through the encoder. Multiple experiments demonstrate that ADF‐Net excels in various aspects by utilizing two‐stage training and an appropriate loss function for training and testing.
Influence of power quality and stack temperature on the specific energy consumption of alkaline electrolyzer
Authors: Dong Yannan , Chen Zhe , Li Xiangjun , Wang Haixin , Han Zijiao , Ma Shaohua , Yao Xin
Published: May 2024

The efficiency of the power‐to‐hydrogen (P2H) alkaline electrolyzer (AE) is the primary factor constraint on its large‐scale application. Decreasing the specific energy consumption (SEC) of AE is positive to enhancing the efficiency of P2H system. However, the factors influencing the SEC of AE are yet to be fully revealed. In this paper, the influence of power quality and stack temperature on the SEC of AE is explored. Firstly, the models of double star rectifier and PWM current‐type rectifier are established. And the mathematical model on the SEC of rectifiers is proposed. The influence of power quality on the SEC is analyzed by comparing the current and voltage waveforms under four types of rectifiers. Secondly, the model of AE that considers the stack temperature is proposed. Unlike the existing simplified models, the proposed model can assess the SEC considering changes in stack temperature. Finally, the results show that the SEC with the 6‐pulse rectifier is 10.99% and 11.98% higher than that with the double‐star rectifier and PWM current‐type rectifier. The stack temperature is inversely related to the SEC of AE. This study provides a reference for reducing the SEC and enhancing the efficiency of the P2H system.
Identifying type II quasars at intermediate redshift with few-shot learning photometric classification
Authors: Cunha P. A. C. , Humphrey A. , Brinchmann J. , Morais S. G. , Carvajal R. , Gomes J. M. , Matute I. , Paulino-Afonso A.
Published: May 2024

Context. A sub-population of AGNs where the central engine is obscured are known as type II quasars (QSO2s). These luminous AGNs have a thick and dusty torus that obscures the accretion disc from our line of sight. Thus, their special orientation allows for detailed studies of the AGN-host co-evolution. Increasing the sample size of QSO2 sources in critical redshift ranges is crucial for understanding the interplay of AGN feedback, the AGN-host relationship, and the evolution of active galaxies.

Aims. We aim to identify QSO2 candidates in the ‘redshift desert’ using optical and infrared photometry. At this intermediate redshift range (i.e. 1 ≤ ɀ ≤ 2), most of the prominent optical emission lines in QSO2 sources (e.g. CIVλl549; [OIII]λλ4959, 5008) fall either outside the wavelength range of the SDSS optical spectra or in particularly noisy wavelength ranges, making QSO2 identification challenging. Therefore, we adopted a semi-supervised machine learning approach to select candidates in the SDSS galaxy sample.

Methods. Recent applications of machine learning in astronomy focus on problems involving large data sets, with small data sets often being overlooked. We developed a ‘few-shot’ learning approach for the identification and classification of rare-object classes using limited training data (200 sources). The new AMELIA pipeline uses a transfer-learning based approach with decision trees, distance-based, and deep learning methods to build a classifier capable of identifying rare objects on the basis of an observational training data set.

Results. We validated the performance ofAMELIAby addressing the problem of identifying QSO2s at 1 ≤ ɀ ≤ 2 using SDSS and WISE photometry, obtaining an F1-score above 0.8 in a supervised approach. We then usedAMELIAto select new QSO2 candidates in the ‘redshift desert’ and examined the nature of the candidates using SDSS spectra, when available. In particular, we identified a sub-population of [NeV]λ3426 emitters at ɀ ~ 1.1, which are highly likely to contain obscured AGNs. We used X-ray and radio crossmatching to validate our classification and investigated the performance of photometric criteria from the literature showing that our candidates have an inherent dusty nature. Finally, we derived physical properties for our QSO2 sample using photoionisation models and verified the AGN classification using an SED fitting.

Conclusions. Our results demonstrate the potential of few-shot learning applied to small data sets of rare objects, in particular QSO2s, and confirms that optical-IR information can be further explored to search for obscured AGNs. We present a new sample of candidates to be further studied and validated using multi-wavelength observations.
Thermal and magnetic field structure of near-equatorial coronal holes
Authors: Hegde M. , Hiremath K. M.
Published: May 2024

Context.Coronal holes are low-density and unipolar magnetic field structures in the solar corona that trigger geomagnetic disturbances on the Earth. Hence, it is important to understand the genesis and evolutionary behavior of these coronal activity features during their passage across the solar disk.

Aims.We study the day-to-day latitudinal variations of thermal and magnetic field structures of near-equatorial coronal holes. For this purpose, eight years of full-disk SOHO/EIT 195 Å calibrated images were used.

Methods.Using the response curves of the SOHO/EIT channels and assuming thermodynamic equilibrium, we estimated the temperature structure of coronal holes. From the latitudinal variation in the magnetic pressure, we inferred the magnitude of the magnetic field structure of coronal holes.

Results.Except for the temperatureT, we find that the variations in the average photon fluxF, in the radiative energyE, in the areaA, and in the magnitude of the magnetic field structure |B| of coronal holes depend on latitude. The typical average values of the estimated physical parameters areA ∼ 3.8(±0.5)×1020cm2,F ∼ 2.3(±0.2)×1013photons cm−2s−1,E ∼ 2.32(±0.5)×103ergs cm−2s−1,T ∼ 0.94(±0.1)×106K and |B|∼0.01(±0.001) G.

Conclusions.When coronal holes are anchored in the convection zone, these activity features would be expected to rotate differentially. The thermal wind balance and isorotation of coronal holes with the solar plasma therefore implies a measurable temperature difference between the equator and the two poles. Contrary to this fact, the variation in the thermal structure of near-equatorial coronal holes is independent of latitude, which leads to the conclusion that coronal holes must rotate rigidly and are likely to be initially anchored below the tachocline. This confirms our previous study.
Blind and robust estimation of adaptive optics point spread function and diffuse halo with sharp-edged objects
Authors: Berdeu Anthony
Published: May 2024

Context. Initially designed to detect and characterise exoplanets, extreme adaptive optics (AO) systems open a new window onto the Solar System by resolving its small bodies. Nonetheless, their study remains limited by the accuracy of the knowledge of the AO-corrected point spread function (AO-PSF) that degrades their image and produces a bright halo, potentially hiding faint moons in their close vicinity.

Aims. To overcome the random nature of AO-PSFs, I aim to develop a method that blindly recovers the PSF and its faint structured extensions directly into the data of interest, without any prior on the instrument or the object’s shape. The objectives are both to deconvolve the object and to properly estimate and remove its surrounding halo to highlight potential faint companions.

Methods. My method first estimated the PSF core via a parametric model fit, under the assumption of a sharp-edged flat object. Then, the resolved object and the PSF extensions were alternatively deconvolved with a robust method, insensitive to model outliers, such as cosmic rays or unresolved moons. Finally, the complex halo produced by the AO system was modelled and removed from the data.

Results. The method is validated on realistic simulations with an on-sky AO-PSF from the SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument. On real data, the proposed blind deconvolution algorithm strongly improves the image sharpness and retrieves details on the surface of asteroids. In addition, their moons are visible in all tested epochs despite important variability in turbulence conditions.

Conclusions. My method shows the feasibility of retrieving the complex features of AO-PSFs directly from the data of interest. It paves the way towards more precise studies of asteroid surfaces and the discovery and characterisation of Solar System moons in archival data or with future instruments on extremely large telescopes with ever more complex AO-PSFs.
STONKS: Quasi-real time XMM-Newton transient detection system
Authors: Quintin E. , Webb N. A. , Georgantopoulos I. , Gupta M. , Kammoun E. , Michel L. , Schwope A. , Tranin H. , Traulsen I.
Published: May 2024

Context. Over recent decades, astronomy has entered the era of massive data and real-time surveys. This is improving the study of transient objects – although they still contain some of the most poorly understood phenomena in astrophysics, as it is inherently more difficult to obtain data to constrain the proposed models.

Aims. In order to help detect these objects in their brightest state and build synergies with multi-wavelength real-time surveys, we have built a quasi-real time automatic transient detection system for the XMM-Newton pipeline: the Search for Transient Objects in New detections using Known Sources (STONKS) pipeline.

Methods. STONKS detects long-term X-ray transient events by automatically comparing new XMM-Newton detections to any available archival X-ray data at this position, sending out an alert if the variability between observations (defined as the ratio between the maximum flux and the minimum flux or upper limit) is over 5. This required an initial careful cross-correlation and flux calibration of various X-ray catalogs from different observatories (XMM-Newton, Chandra, Swift, ROSAT, and eROSITA). A Bayesian framework was put into place to solve any ambiguous associations. We also systematically computed the XMM-Newton upper limits at the position of any X-ray source covered by the XMM-Newton observational footprint, even without any XMM-Newton counterpart. The behavior of STONKS was then tested on all 483 observations performed with imaging mode in 2021.

Results. Over the 2021 testing run, STONKS provided a daily alert rate of 0.7−0.5+0.7 alerts per day, about 80% of them corresponding to serendipitous sources. Among the detected variable serendipitous sources, there are: several highly variable active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and flaring stars, as well as new X-ray binary and ultra-luminous X-ray source candidates, some of which are present here. STONKS also detected targeted tidal disruption events, ensuring its ability to detect other serendipitous events. As a byproduct of our method, the archival multi-instrument catalog contains about one million X-ray sources, with 15% of them involving several catalogs and 60% of them having XMM-Newton (pointed or slew) upper limits.

Conclusions. STONKS demonstrates a great potential for revealing future serendipitous transient X-ray sources, providing the community with the ability to follow-up on these objects a few days after their detection with the goal of obtaining a better understanding of their nature. The underlying multi-instrument archival X-ray catalog will be made available to the community and kept up to date with future X-ray data releases.