bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observation of bulk quadrupole in topological heat transport
Authors: Xu Guoqiang , Zhou Xue , Yang Shuihua , Wu Jing , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: June 2023

The quantized bulk quadrupole moment has so far revealed a non-trivial boundary state with lower-dimensional topological edge states and in-gap zero-dimensional corner modes. In contrast to photonic implementations, state-of-the-art strategies for topological thermal metamaterials struggle to achieve such higher-order hierarchical features. This is due to the absence of quantized bulk quadrupole moments in thermal diffusion fundamentally prohibiting possible band topology expansions. Here, we report a recipe for generating quantized bulk quadrupole moments in fluid heat transport and observe the quadrupole topological phases in non-Hermitian thermal systems. Our experiments show that both the real- and imaginary-valued bands exhibit the hierarchical features of bulk, gapped edge and in-gap corner states—in stark contrast to the higher-order states observed only on real-valued bands in classical wave fields. Our findings open up unique possibilities for diffusive metamaterial engineering and establish a playground for multipolar topological physics.
Triplication of the interferon receptor locus contributes to hallmarks of Down syndrome in a mouse model
Authors: Waugh Katherine A. , Minter Ross , Baxter Jessica , Chi Congwu , Galbraith Matthew D. , Tuttle Kathryn D. , Eduthan Neetha P. , Kinning Kohl T. , Andrysik Zdenek , Araya Paula , Dougherty Hannah , Dunn Lauren N. , Ludwig Michael , Schade Kyndal A. , Tracy Dayna , Smith Keith P. , Granrath Ross E. , Busquet Nicolas , Khanal Santosh , Anderson Ryan D. , Cox Liza L. , Estrada Belinda Enriquez , Rachubinski Angela L. , Lyford Hannah R. , Britton Eleanor C. , Fantauzzo Katherine A. , Orlicky David J. , Matsuda Jennifer L. , Song Kunhua , Cox Timothy C. , Sullivan Kelly D. , Espinosa Joaquin M.
Published: June 2023

Down syndrome (DS), the genetic condition caused by trisomy 21, is characterized by variable cognitive impairment, immune dysregulation, dysmorphogenesis and increased prevalence of diverse co-occurring conditions. The mechanisms by which trisomy 21 causes these effects remain largely unknown. We demonstrate that triplication of the interferon receptor (IFNR) gene cluster on chromosome 21 is necessary for multiple phenotypes in a mouse model of DS. Whole-blood transcriptome analysis demonstrated that IFNR overexpression associates with chronic interferon hyperactivity and inflammation in people with DS. To define the contribution of this locus to DS phenotypes, we used genome editing to correct its copy number in a mouse model of DS, which normalized antiviral responses, prevented heart malformations, ameliorated developmental delays, improved cognition and attenuated craniofacial anomalies. Triplication of the Ifnr locus modulates hallmarks of DS in mice, suggesting that trisomy 21 elicits an interferonopathy potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention.
Genetic studies of paired metabolomes reveal enzymatic and transport processes at the interface of plasma and urine
Authors: Schlosser Pascal , Scherer Nora , Grundner-Culemann Franziska , Monteiro-Martins Sara , Haug Stefan , Steinbrenner Inga , Uluvar Burulça , Wuttke Matthias , Cheng Yurong , Ekici Arif B. , Gyimesi Gergely , Karoly Edward D. , Kotsis Fruzsina , Mielke Johanna , Gomez Maria F. , Yu Bing , Grams Morgan E. , Coresh Josef , Boerwinkle Eric , Köttgen Michael , Kronenberg Florian , Meiselbach Heike , Mohney Robert P. , Akilesh Shreeram ,   GCKD Investigators, Schmidts Miriam , Hediger Matthias A. , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Oefner Peter J. , Sekula Peggy , Li Yong , Köttgen Anna
Published: June 2023

The kidneys operate at the interface of plasma and urine by clearing molecular waste products while retaining valuable solutes. Genetic studies of paired plasma and urine metabolomes may identify underlying processes. We conducted genome-wide studies of 1,916 plasma and urine metabolites and detected 1,299 significant associations. Associations with 40% of implicated metabolites would have been missed by studying plasma alone. We detected urine-specific findings that provide information about metabolite reabsorption in the kidney, such as aquaporin (AQP)-7-mediated glycerol transport, and different metabolomic footprints of kidney-expressed proteins in plasma and urine that are consistent with their localization and function, including the transporters NaDC3 (SLC13A3) and ASBT (SLC10A2). Shared genetic determinants of 7,073 metabolite–disease combinations represent a resource to better understand metabolic diseases and revealed connections of dipeptidase 1 with circulating digestive enzymes and with hypertension. Extending genetic studies of the metabolome beyond plasma yields unique insights into processes at the interface of body compartments.
Machine learning polysomnographically-derived electroencephalography biomarkers predictive of epworth sleepiness scale
Authors: Araujo Matheus , Ghosn Samer , Wang Lu , Hariadi Nengah , Wells Samantha , Saab Carl Y. , Mehra Reena
Published: June 2023

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) causes difficulty in concentrating and continuous fatigue during the day. In the clinical setting, the assessment and diagnosis of EDS rely mostly on subjective questionnaires and verbal reports, which compromises the reliability of clinical diagnosis and the ability to robustly discern candidacy for available therapies and track treatment response. In this study, we used a computational pipeline for the automated, rapid, high-throughput, and objective analysis of previously collected encephalography (EEG) data to identify surrogate biomarkers for EDS, thereby defining the quantitative EEG changes in individuals with high Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (n = 31), compared to a group of individuals with low ESS (n = 41) at the Cleveland Clinic. The epochs of EEG analyzed were extracted from a large overnight polysomnogram registry during the most proximate period of wakefulness. Signal processing of EEG showed significantly different EEG features in the low ESS group compared to high ESS, including enhanced power in the alpha and beta bands and attenuation in the delta and theta bands. Our machine learning (ML) algorithms trained on the binary classification of high vs. low ESS reached an accuracy of 80.2%, precision of 79.2%, recall of 73.8% and specificity of 85.3%. Moreover, we ruled out the effects of confounding clinical variables by evaluating the statistical contribution of these variables on our ML models. These results indicate that EEG data contain information in the form of rhythmic activity that could be leveraged for the quantitative assessment of EDS using ML.
Colossal figure of merit and compelling HER catalytic activity of holey graphyne
Authors: Sajjad Muhammad , Nair Surabhi Suresh , Samad Yarjan Abdul , Singh Nirpendra
Published: June 2023

Herein, we have conducted a comprehensive study to uncover the thermal transport properties and hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic activity of recently synthesized holey graphyne. Our findings disclose that holey graphyne has a direct bandgap of 1.00 eV using the HSE06 exchange–correlation functional. The absence of imaginary phonon frequencies in the phonon dispersion ensures its dynamic stability. The formation energy of holey graphyne turns out to be − 8.46 eV/atom, comparable to graphene (− 9.22 eV/atom) and h-BN (− 8.80 eV/atom). At 300 K, the Seebeck coefficient is as high as 700 μV/K at a carrier concentration of 1 × 1010 cm-2. The predicted room temperature lattice thermal conductivity (κl) of 29.3 W/mK is substantially lower than graphene (3000 W/mK) and fourfold smaller than C3N (128 W/mK). At around 335 nm thickness, the room temperature κl suppresses by 25%. The calculated p-type figure of merit (ZT) reaches a maximum of 1.50 at 300 K, higher than that of holey graphene (ZT = 1.13), γ-graphyne (ZT = 0.48), and pristine graphene (ZT = 0.55 × 10–3). It further scales up to 3.36 at 600 K. Such colossal ZT values make holey graphyne an appealing p-type thermoelectric material. Besides that, holey graphyne is a potential HER catalyst with a low overpotential of 0.20 eV, which further reduces to 0.03 eV at 2% compressive strain.
The real bacterial filtration efficiency to evaluate the effective protection of facemasks used for the prevention of respiratory diseases
Authors: Benito Pedro J. , Gutiérrez Álvaro , Rojo-Tirado Miguel A.
Published: June 2023

The real protection offered by facemasks to control the transmission of respiratory viruses is still undetermined. Most of the manufacturing regulations, as well as scientific studies, have focused on studying the filtration capacity of the fabrics from which they are made, ignoring the air that escapes through the facial misalignments, and which depends on the respiratory frequencies and volumes. The objective of this work was to define a Real Bacterial Filtration Efficiency for each type of facemask, considering the bacterial filtration efficiency of the manufacturers and the air that passes through them. Nine different facemasks were tested on a mannequin with three gas analyzers (measuring inlet, outlet, and leak volumes) inside a polymethylmethacrylate box. In addition, the differential pressure was measured to determine the resistance offered by the facemasks during the inhalation and exhalation processes. Air was introduced with a manual syringe for 180 s simulating inhalations and exhalations at rest, light, moderate and vigorous activities (10, 60, 80 and 120 L/min, respectively). Statistical analysis showed that practically half of the air entering to the system is not filtered by the facemasks in all intensities (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.971). They also showed that the hygienic facemasks filter more than 70% of the air, and their filtration does not depend on the simulated intensity, while the rest of the facemasks show an evidently different response, influenced by the amount of air mobilized. Therefore, the Real Bacterial Filtration Efficiency can be calculated as a modulation of the Bacterial Filtration Efficiencies that depends on the type of facemask. The real filtration capacity of the facemasks has been overestimated during last years since the filtration of the fabrics is not the real filtration when the facemask is worn.
Dynamic computed tomography manifestations of simulated wooden foreign bodies in blood-saline mixtures with variable concentrations and retention times
Authors: Zhu Daoming , Li Xiaoling , Zhao Huiyan , Zhou Meng , Zhu Honghao , Qin Daming , Tan Biyong , Zhang Xianzhuo , Hu Xingrong
Published: June 2023

Diagnosing wooden foreign bodies (WFBs) using computed tomography (CT) is often missed, leading to adverse outcomes. This study aims to reduce misdiagnoses by exploring the density variation of blood-saline mixtures in ex vivo models. Twenty Cunninghamia lanceolata sticks, selected as WFB models, were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group (saline) and four experimental groups immersed in blood-saline mixtures with varying concentrations. The samples were then placed in a constant-temperature water bath at 36.8 °C. CT scans were performed in the lowest and highest density areas, and the volume of the low-density areas was measured at the post-processing workstation. Finally, the effects of time and concentration on imaging were analyzed, and fitting curves were generated. The blood-saline mixture concentration and time significantly affected the CT number in the three areas. WFB images changed dynamically over time, with two typical imaging signs: the bull's-eye sign on the short axis images and the tram line sign on the long axis images. Fitting curves of the CT number in the lowest density areas with different concentrations can quantify imaging changes. The CT number of the lowest density areas increased with time, following a logarithmic function type, while the CT number of the highest density areas exhibited a fast-rising platform type. The volume of the low-density areas decreased over time. The time of damage caused by WFBs and the influence of varying blood and tissue fluid contents at the damaged site should be considered in the diagnosis. Imaging changes from multiple CT scans at different times can aid in diagnosis.
Direct biomolecule discrimination in mixed samples using nanogap-based single-molecule electrical measurement
Authors: Ryu Jiho , Komoto Yuki , Ohshiro Takahito , Taniguchi Masateru
Published: June 2023

In single-molecule measurements, metal nanogap electrodes directly measure the current of a single molecule. This technique has been actively investigated as a new detection method for a variety of samples. Machine learning has been applied to analyze signals derived from single molecules to improve the identification accuracy. However, conventional identification methods have drawbacks, such as the requirement of data to be measured for each target molecule and the electronic structure variation of the nanogap electrode. In this study, we report a technique for identifying molecules based on single-molecule measurement data measured only in mixed sample solutions. Compared with conventional methods that require training classifiers on measurement data from individual samples, our proposed method successfully predicts the mixing ratio from the measurement data in mixed solutions. This demonstrates the possibility of identifying single molecules using only data from mixed solutions, without prior training. This method is anticipated to be particularly useful for the analysis of biological samples in which chemical separation methods are not applicable, thereby increasing the potential for single-molecule measurements to be widely adopted as an analytical technique.
The propagation speed of optical speckle
Authors: Wan Zhenyu , Yessenov Murat , Padgett Miles J.
Published: June 2023

That the speed of light in vacuum is constant is a cornerstone of modern physics. However, recent experiments have shown that when the light field is confined in the transverse plane, the observed propagation speed of the light is reduced. This effect is a consequence of the transverse structure which reduces the component of wavevector of the light in the direction of propagation, thereby modifying both the phase and group velocity. Here, we consider the case of optical speckle, which has a random transverse distribution and is ubiquitous with scales ranging from the microscopic to the astronomical. We numerically investigate the plane-to-plane propagation speed of the optical speckle by using the method of angular spectrum analysis. For a general diffuser with Gaussian scattering over an angular range of 5°, we calculate the slowing of the propagation speed of the optical speckle to be on the order of 1% of the free-space speed, resulting in a significantly higher temporal delay compared to the Bessel and Laguerre–Gaussian beams considered previously. Our results have implications for studying optical speckle in both laboratory and astronomical settings.
Blooming of a microbial community in an Ediacaran extreme volcanic lake system
Authors: Chraiki Ibtissam , Chi Fru Ernest , Somogyi Andrea , Bouougri El Hafid , Bankole Olabode , Ghnahalla Mohamed , El Albani Abderrazak
Published: June 2023

Ancient aquatic sediments are critical archives for studying early microbial life and the types of environments in which they thrived. The recently characterized Amane Tazgart microbialites in the Anti-Atlas, Morocco, are a rare and well-preserved non-marine deposit that evolved in an alkaline volcanic lake setting during the Ediacaran Period. A multiproxy geochemical toolbox reveals evidence pointing to spatio-temporal ecosystem organization and succession related to changing lake water chemistry. This is marked by secular transition from a cold/dry climate, hypersaline alkaline thermophilic and anoxic–oxic community, to a stable state warm/wet climate fully oxygenated fresh to brackish water ecosystem, predominated by oxygenic stromatolites. Extreme dissolved Arsenic concentrations suggest that these polyextremophiles required robust detoxification mechanisms to circumvent arsenic toxicity and phosphate deficiency. We propose that self-sustaining and versatile anoxic to oxic microbial ecosystems thrived in aquatic continental settings during the Ediacaran Period, when complex life co-evolved with a rise in atmospheric oxygen content.
The genetics of a “femaleness/maleness” score in cardiometabolic traits in the UK biobank
Authors: Vosberg Daniel E. , Pausova Zdenka , Paus Tomáš
Published: June 2023

We recently devised continuous “sex-scores” that sum up multiple quantitative traits, weighted by their respective sex-difference effect sizes, as an approach to estimating polyphenotypic “maleness/femaleness” within each binary sex. To identify the genetic architecture underlying these sex-scores, we conducted sex-specific genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in the UK Biobank cohort (females: n = 161,906; males: n = 141,980). As a control, we also conducted GWASs of sex-specific “sum-scores”, simply aggregating the same traits, without weighting by sex differences. Among GWAS-identified genes, while sum-score genes were enriched for genes differentially expressed in the liver in both sexes, sex-score genes were enriched for genes differentially expressed in the cervix and across brain tissues, particularly for females. We then considered single nucleotide polymorphisms with significantly different effects (sdSNPs) between the sexes for sex-scores and sum-scores, mapping to male-dominant and female-dominant genes. Here, we identified brain-related enrichment for sex-scores, especially for male-dominant genes; these findings were present but weaker for sum-scores. Genetic correlation analyses of sex-biased diseases indicated that both sex-scores and sum-scores were associated with cardiometabolic, immune, and psychiatric disorders.
The nut-and-bolt motion of a bacteriophage sliding along a bacterial flagellum: a complete hydrodynamics model
Authors: Karabasov Sergey A. , Zaitsev Mihail A. , Nerukh Dmitry A.
Published: June 2023

The ‘nut-and-bolt’ mechanism of a bacteriophage-bacteria flagellum translocation motion is modelled by numerically integrating the 3D Stokes equations using a Finite-Element Method (FEM). Following the works by Katsamba and Lauga (Phys Rev Fluids 4(1): 013101, 2019), two mechanical models of the flagellum-phage complex are considered. In the first model, the phage fiber wraps around the smooth flagellum surface separated by some distance. In the second model, the phage fiber is partly immersed in the flagellum volume via a helical groove imprinted in the flagellum and replicating the fiber shape. In both cases, the results of the Stokes solution for the translocation speed are compared with the Resistive Force Theory (RFT) solutions (obtained in Katsamba and Lauga Phys Rev Fluids 4(1): 013101, 2019) and the asymptotic theory in a limiting case. The previous RFT solutions of the same mechanical models of the flagellum-phage complex showed opposite trends for how the phage translocation speed depends on the phage tail length. The current work uses complete hydrodynamics solutions, which are free from the RFT assumptions to understand the divergence of the two mechanical models of the same biological system. A parametric investigation is performed by changing pertinent geometrical parameters of the flagellum-phage complex and computing the resulting phage translocation speed. The FEM solutions are compared with the RFT results using insights provided from the velocity field visualisation in the fluid domain.
Evaluation of the capability and reproducibility of RECIST 1.1. measurements by technologists in breast cancer follow-up: a pilot study
Authors: Gouel Pierrick , Callonnec Françoise , Levêque Émilie , Valet Céline , Blôt Axelle , Cuvelier Clémence , Saï Sonia , Saunier Lucie , Pepin Louis-Ferdinand , Hapdey Sébastien , Libraire Julie , Vera Pierre , Viard Benjamin
Published: June 2023

The evaluation of tumor follow-up according to RECIST 1.1 has become essential in clinical practice given its role in therapeutic decision making. At the same time, radiologists are facing an increase in activity while facing a shortage. Radiographic technologists could contribute to the follow-up of these measures, but no studies have evaluated their ability to perform them. Ninety breast cancer patients were performed three CT follow-ups between September 2017 and August 2021. 270 follow-up treatment CT scans were analyzed including 445 target lesions. The rate of agreement of classifications RECIST 1.1 between five technologists and radiologists yielded moderate (k value between 0.47 and 0.52) and substantial (k value = 0.62 and k = 0.67) agreement values. 112 CT were classified as progressive disease (PD) by the radiologists, and 414 new lesions were identified. The analysis showed a percentage of strict agreement of progressive disease classification between reader-technologists and radiologists ranging from substantial to almost perfect agreement (range 73–97%). Analysis of intra-observer agreement was strong at almost perfect (k > 0.78) for 3 technologists. These results are encouraging regarding the ability of selected technologists to perform measurements according to RECIST 1.1 criteria by CT scan with good identification of disease progression.
Association of trabecular meshwork height with steroid-induced ocular hypertension
Authors: Cho Won Jeong , Kim Yitak , Kim Jung Dong , Kim Eun Woo , Bae Hyoung Won , Kim Chan Yun , Choi Wungrak
Published: June 2023

It is important to identify at-risk patients prior to administering steroid injections to prevent avoidable irreversible blindness inducted by steroid-induced ocular hypertension (SIOH). We aimed to investigate the association of SIOH following intravitreal dexamethasone implantation (OZURDEX) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). We conducted a retrospective case control study to assess the association between trabecular meshwork and SIOH. A total of 102 eyes that underwent both AS-OCT and intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection were divided into the post-steroid ocular hypertension and normal intraocular pressure groups. Ocular parameters that can contribute to intraocular pressure were measured using AS-OCT. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio of the SIOH and significant variables were further analyzed using a multivariable model. Trabecular meshwork (TM) height was significantly shorter in the ocular hypertension group (716.13 ± 80.55 μm) than that in the normal intraocular pressure group (784.27 ± 82.33 μm) (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve technique analysis showed that the optimal cut-off of ≥ 802.13 μm for TM height specificity was 96.2%, and TM height with < 646.75 μm had a sensitivity of 94.70%. The odds ratio of the association was 0.990 (p = 0.001). TM height was identified as a newly observed association with SIOH. TM height can be assessed using AS-OCT, with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Caution must be exercised while injecting steroids in patients with short TM height (especially < 646.75 μm) as it may cause SIOH and irreversible blindness.
Crack mechanism and experimental verification on straightening of AZ31B magnesium alloy plate
Authors: Wang Rong-Jun , Zhou Qi , Du Xiao-Zhong , Li Yu-Shan , Zhang Peng-Chong , Li Guang-Feng , Huang Zhi-Quan , Ma Li-Dong , Jiang Lian-Yun
Published: June 2023

When plates with edge cracks in the rolling process is straightened by cyclic tensile and compressive stress, the tip of edge crack always accompanied by stress concentration, which leads to crack propagation. In this paper, damage parameters are imported into the plate straightening model based on determining the GTN damage parameters of magnesium alloy materials by inverse finite element calibration method, the influence of different straightening process schemes and prefabricated V-shaped crack geometry on crack growth is analyzed through the way of the combination of simulation and straightening experiment. The results show that the peak values of equivalent stress and equivalent strain under each straightening roll appear at the crack tip. The value of longitudinal stress and equivalent stain decrease with the distance to crack tip becomes larger. The peak value of longitudinal stress appears when the crack circumferential angle is about 100°, and the crack tip is easy to form crack propagation; when the plate passes roll 2 and roll 4, the equivalent stress and strain concentration at the crack tip are most obvious; when the reduction reaches a certain degree, the void volume fraction (VVF) reaches the VVF of the material breaking; with the increase of the entrance reduction, the number of VVF at the crack tip which reaches the material fracture increases, and the length of crack propagation increases; the stress concentration at the tip of V-shaped crack with large length–width ratio is obvious, and the VVF is more likely to reach the VVF at the time of material fracture, crack initiates and propagates easily.
Preventing mental illness in children that experienced maltreatment the efficacy of REThink online therapeutic game
Authors: David Oana A. , Fodor Liviu A.
Published: June 2023

Exposure to child maltreatment (CM) is considered to predispose children to devastating consequences in terms of mental health. Thus, it is a public health priority to provide these children with early preventive interventions that are accessible on a large scale, adapted to their needs, and effective in supporting their mental health. Here we report a randomized control trial to test the efficacy of the REThink online therapeutic game, as compared with a Care as Usual (CAU) control group in the prevention of mental illness in maltreated children. Out of 439 children aged 8–12 that were recruited, 294 children with self-reported maltreatment histories were included in the current study, and were allocated, 146 participants in the REThink group and 148 participants in the CAU group. All children completed pre- and post-intervention assessments measuring mental health, emotion regulation, and irrational cognitions. We also tested potential moderators for these effects, such as the severity of CM and the security of parent attachment. Our results show that children receiving the REThink game intervention outperform the CAU group at post-test, showing a significantly lower level of emotional problems, mental health difficulties, use of maladaptive emotion-regulation strategies such as catastrophizing, rumination, and self-blame, and irrational cognitions. Moreover, children with higher CM severity benefit the most from the REThink game, while children with lower parent attachment security benefit the least. Future research is needed, to investigate the long-term efficacy of the REThink game in promoting the mental health of children exposed to CM.
Evolution of nanopores in hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Dai Chunhui , Popple Derek , Su Cong , Park Ji-Hoon , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Kong Jing , Zettl Alex
Published: June 2023

The engineering of atomically-precise nanopores in two-dimensional materials presents exciting opportunities for both fundamental science studies as well as applications in energy, DNA sequencing, and quantum information technologies. The exceptional chemical and thermal stability of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) suggest that exposed h-BN nanopores will retain their atomic structure even when subjected to extended periods of time in gas or liquid environments. Here we employ transmission electron microscopy to examine the time evolution of h-BN nanopores in vacuum and in air and find, even at room temperature, dramatic geometry changes due to atom motion and edge contamination adsorption, for timescales ranging from one hour to one week. The discovery of nanopore evolution contrasts with general expectations and has profound implications for nanopore applications of two-dimensional materials.
Monolithically-stacked thin-film solid-state batteries
Authors: Futscher Moritz H. , Brinkman Luc , Müller André , Casella Joel , Aribia Abdessalem , Romanyuk Yaroslav E.
Published: June 2023

The power capability of Li-ion batteries has become increasingly limiting for the electrification of transport on land and in the air. The specific power of Li-ion batteries is restricted to a few thousand W kg−1 due to the required cathode thickness of a few tens of micrometers. We present a design of monolithically-stacked thin-film cells that has the potential to increase the power ten-fold. We demonstrate an experimental proof-of-concept consisting of two monolithically stacked thin-film cells. Each cell consists of a silicon anode, a solid-oxide electrolyte, and a lithium cobalt oxide cathode. The battery can be cycled for more than 300 cycles between 6 and 8 V. Using a thermo-electric model, we predict that stacked thin-film batteries can achieve specific energies >250 Wh kg−1 at C-rates above 60, resulting in a specific power of tens of kW kg−1 needed for high-end applications such as drones, robots, and electric vertical take-off and landing aircrafts.
Conformational tuning improves the stability of spirocyclic nitroxides with long paramagnetic relaxation times
Authors: Sowiński Mateusz P. , Gahlawat Sahil , Lund Bjarte A. , Warnke Anna-Luisa , Hopmann Kathrin H. , Lovett Janet E. , Haugland Marius M.
Published: June 2023

Nitroxides are widely used as probes and polarization transfer agents in spectroscopy and imaging. These applications require high stability towards reducing biological environments, as well as beneficial relaxation properties. While the latter is provided by spirocyclic groups on the nitroxide scaffold, such systems are not in themselves robust under reducing conditions. In this work, we introduce a strategy for stability enhancement through conformational tuning, where incorporating additional substituents on the nitroxide ring effects a shift towards highly stable closed spirocyclic conformations, as indicated by X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Closed spirocyclohexyl nitroxides exhibit dramatically improved stability towards reduction by ascorbate, while maintaining long relaxation times in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. These findings have important implications for the future design of new nitroxide-based spin labels and imaging agents.
Partial liquid metal dealloying to synthesize nickel-containing porous and composite ferrous and high-entropy alloys
Authors: Wada Takeshi , Geslin Pierre-Antoine , Wei Daixu , Kato Hidemi
Published: June 2023

Liquid metal dealloying is a promising technique to produce bicontinuous porous metals with high specific surface areas. This processing technique relies on the selective dissolution of a component from a precursor alloy into a metal bath while the remaining insoluble component self-assembles into an interconnected structure. However, it has not been applied to produce nickel-containing porous metals because of the lack of a suitable metallic bath. Here we show that nickel-containing porous metals can be produced by partial liquid metal dealloying. The amount of soluble component in the resulting microstructure can be tuned by carefully choosing the bath element so that the ligaments of desired composition equilibrate with the metal bath. We demonstrate this partial liquid dealloying concept using magnesium and bismuth baths and rationalize the results through thermodynamics calculations. Furthermore, we apply this technique to produce porous nickel-containing stainless steel and high-entropy alloy.
Calcium availability affects the intrinsic water-use efficiency of temperate forest trees
Authors: Oulehle Filip , Urban Otmar , Tahovská Karolina , Kolář Tomáš , Rybníček Michal , Büntgen Ulf , Hruška Jakub , Čáslavský Josef , Trnka Mirek
Published: June 2023

Intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of trees is an important component of the Earth’s coupled carbon and water cycles. The causes and consequences of long-term changes in iWUE are, however, still poorly understood due to the complex interplay between biotic and abiotic factors. Inspired by the role calcium (Ca) plays in plant transpiration, we explore possible linkages between tree ring-derived iWUE and Ca availability in five central European forest sites that were affected by acidic air pollution. We show that increasing iWUE was directly modulated by acid air pollution in conjunction with soil Ca concentration. Responses of iWUE to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations accelerated across sites where Ca availability decreased due to soil acidity constraints, regardless of nitrogen and phosphorus availability. The observed association between soil acidity, Ca uptake, and transpiration suggests that Ca biogeochemistry has important, yet unrecognized, implications for the plant physiological upregulation of carbon and water cycles.
Fault systems impede incision of the Yarlung river into the Tibetan plateau
Authors: Cai Dongxu , Wang Xianyan , Li Guangwei , Jiao Ruohong , Kohn Barry , Zhu Wenbin , De Grave Johan , Lu Huayu
Published: June 2023

It is widely accepted that tectonics generally enhances river incision. However, why rivers have not incised further into orogenic plateaus to destroy terrains over long-time scales remains ambiguous. Here we hypothesize that the diverse nature of regional tectonics could have impeded river erosion, taking Yarlung River in Tibetan Plateau as a case. We constrain the incision history and effect of a tectonic rift on fluvial incision by low-temperature thermochronology. Results show focused cooling near the rift, but markedly reduced cooling in the upstream and downstream regions since ~7 Ma. This coincides with an episode of rapid exhumation of Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis downstream. We propose that these two co-phased tectonic systems resulting from accelerated extension of southern Tibetan Plateau prevented upstream migration of river knickpoints. Our study highlights that the activity of fault systems may hinder regional erosion, thereby facilitating the preservation of topography and high plateaus in active orogenic belts.
miR-124-3p target genes identify globus pallidus role in suicide ideation recovery in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Aloi Macarena S. , Poblete Guillermo F. , Oldham John , Patriquin Michelle A. , Nielsen David A. , Kosten Thomas R. , Salas Ramiro
Published: June 2023

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by patterns of unstable affect, unstable interpersonal relationships, and chronic suicidal tendencies. Research on the genetics, epigenetics, and brain function of BPD is lacking. MicroRNA-124-3p (miR-124-3p) was recently identified in a Genome-Wide Association Study as likely associated with BPD. Here, we identified the anatomical brain expression of genes likely modulated by miR-124-3p and compared morphometry in those brain regions in BPD inpatients vs. controls matched for psychiatric comorbidities. We isolated lists of targets likely modulated by miR-124-3p from TargetScan (v 8.0) by their preferentially conserved targeting (Aggregate PCT > 0.99, see Supplementary Table 1). We applied Process Genes List (PGL) to identify regions of interest associated with the co-expression of miR-124-3p target genes. We compared the gray matter volume of the top region of interest co-expressing those genes between BPD inpatients (n = 111, 46% female) and psychiatric controls (n = 111, 54% female) at The Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas. We then correlated personality measures, suicidal ideation intensity, and recovery from suicidal ideation with volumetrics. Gene targets of miR-124-3p were significantly co-expressed in the left Globus Pallidus (GP), which was smaller in BPD than in psychiatric controls. Smaller GP volume was negatively correlated with agreeableness and with recovery from suicidal ideation post-treatment. In BPD, GP volume may be reduced through miR-124-3p regulation and suppression of its target genes. Importantly, we identified that a reduction of the GP in BPD could serve as a potential biomarker for recovery from suicidal ideation.
Integrated “lab-on-a-chip” microfluidic systems for isolation, enrichment, and analysis of cancer biomarkers
Authors: Surappa Sushruta , Multani Priyanka , Parlatan Ugur , Sinawang Prima Dewi , Kaifi Jussuf , Akin Demir , Demirci Utkan
Published: June 2023

This critical review addresses recent developments in integrated microfluidic technologies for cancer detection with an emphasis on three common subtypes of cancer biomarkers: circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA and exosomes.
Homotypic and heterotypic adhesion of cancer cells revealed by force-induced remnant magnetization spectroscopy
Authors: Zhan Jinxiu , Zhang Di , Feng Feng , Xu Min , Yao Li
Published: June 2023

A force-induced remnant magnetization spectroscopy method was developed to measure cell–cell adhesion in a high throughput way. Our results demonstrated that the homotypic and heterotypic adhesion forces vary with invasiveness of cancer cells.
Fabrication of BSA@PB-P nanoparticles and their drug loading and controlled release of lamivudine
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhao Jing-Jing , Yao Yi-Ran , Yang Yang
Published: June 2023

BSA@PB-P@LAM nanoparticles were fabricated by multi-porous Prussian blue nanoMOF, BSA, and lamivudine, and displayed an optimal LAM encapsulation rate of 31.53% and loading rate of 49.10%.
Towards therapeutic drug monitoring of antibiotic levels – analyzing the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin using DUV-resonance Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Domes Christian , Popp Juergen , Hagel Stefan , Pletz Mathias W. , Frosch Torsten
Published: June 2023

Deep UV resonance Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for point-of-care monitoring of antibiotics level and paves the way for therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical practice.
Application of ATP-based bioluminescence technology in bacterial detection: a review
Authors: Liu Shitong , Zhao Jinbin , Guo Yulan , Ma Xueer , Sun Chunmeng , Cai Ming , Chi Yuyang , Xu Kun
Published: June 2023

With the development of new technologies for rapid and high-throughput bacterial detection, ATP-based bioluminescence technology is making progress.
A self-cascade system based on Ag nanoparticle/single-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites as an enzyme mimic for ultrasensitive detection of l-cysteine
Authors: Li Feifei , Hu Congcong , Su Wenen , Liang Hao , Xiao Fubing , Liu Jinquan , Tan Yan , Yang Shengyuan
Published: June 2023

A new self-cascade method was designed for l-cysteine detection based on Ag nanoparticle/single-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites (AgNP/SWCNTs) and DNA-templated Ag nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs).
Optical sensor array of chiral MOF-based Fabry–Pérot films for enantioselective odor sensing
Authors: Zhan Kuo , Jiang Yunzhe , Heinke Lars
Published: June 2023

A Fabry–Pérot cavity sensor array based on different homochiral surface-mounted metal–organic-framework (SURMOF) films is presented for the detection and enantioselectively discrimination of different chiral analytes.
Forensic analysis by solid sampling electrothermal vaporization coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Moghadam Kate , Beauchemin Diane
Published: June 2023

Solid sampling electrothermal vaporization coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry holds potential as a dependable forensic tool.
Total synthesis of applanatumol A
Authors: Uchida Kyohei , Kawamoto Yuichiro , Kobayashi Toyoharu , Ito Hisanaka
Published: June 2023

The first total synthesis of applanatumol A has been achieved in a highly stereocontrolled manner. The synthetic method includes Fráter-Seebach alkylation, intramolecular aldol reaction, and stereoselective tandem cyclization.
Estimation of primary nucleation rates from nucleation time distribution data
Authors: Kubota Noriaki
Published: June 2023

Understanding of primary nucleation is still poor. This is due to lack of a rate estimation method. This work proposes a new method determining the rate from nucleation time distributions Pr(t), leading to better understanding of primary nucleation.
Catalytic enhancement of production of solar thermochemical fuels: opportunities and limitations
Authors: Coronado Juan M. , Bayón Alicia
Published: June 2023

Production of thermochemical solar fuels can benefit from coupling with catalysts, but thermodynamics sets limits to the promotion.
Catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles protected by quaternary ammonium salt-based gemini surfactants with different spacer structures
Authors: Morita Tsukasa , Yada Shiho , Yoshimura Tomokazu
Published: June 2023

The structure and catalytic activities of gold nanoparticles were affected by the spacer structure.
Theoretical investigation on isomerization and decomposition reactions of pentanol radicals-part I: branched pentanol isomers
Authors: Liang Yueying , Zhu Yuxiang , Chen Jintao , Lu Xingcai , Zhou Chong-Wen
Published: June 2023

Theoretical investigations on the kinetics of decomposition and isomerization reactions for five types of branched pentanol radicals are carried out in this work.
Impact of iodide ions on the speciation of radiolytic transients in molten LiCl–KCl eutectic salt mixtures
Authors: Conrad Jacy K. , Iwamatsu Kazuhiro , Woods Michael E. , Gakhar Ruchi , Layne Bobby , Cook Andrew R. , Horne Gregory P.
Published: June 2023

A new transient interhalogen species (ICl•−) has been identified in electron pulse irradiated molten chloride salt mixtures. This species has significant implications for the transport of fission-product iodine in molten salt reactor environments.
pH Dependence of the speciation and optical properties of 4-benzoylbenzoic acid
Authors: Karimova Natalia , Alija Onita , Mora García Stephanie L. , Grassian Vicki H. , Gerber R. Benny , Navea Juan G.
Published: June 2023

Organic chromophores initiate much of daytime aqueous phase chemistry in the environment.
High power zinc iodine redox flow battery with iron-functionalized carbon electrodes
Authors: Williams Abena A. , Emmett Robert K. , Roberts Mark E.
Published: June 2023

Zinc iodine redox flow batteries made with electrodes comprising redox-active iron particles show higher discharge voltages, power densities, and 90% lower charge transfer resistances compared to cells with inert carbon electrodes.
Synthesis of new graphene oxide/TiO2 and TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites and their evaluation as photocatalysts
Authors: Rosenthal Marta , Biktagirov Timur , Schmidt Wolf Gero , Wilhelm René
Published: June 2023

Composites of different graphene oxide types, TiO2 materials, and especially synthetic routes influence the photocatalytic activity of the resulting material.
Tungsten-doping promoted catalytic activity of polyaniline-supported palladium for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction
Authors: Zhang Yiyang , Sun Hong , Yang Yonghuai , Li Haofei , Shi Yaocheng , Yu Lei
Published: June 2023

Catalytic activity of Pd@PANI was improved by W-doping to afford a significantly elevated TON at >104. This finding provides a method to reduce the cost of Pd catalyst for industrial applications.
Continuous-flow reactor with superior production rate and stability for CO2 reduction using semiconductor photocatalysts
Authors: Jung Hyunju , Kim Chansol , Yoo Hae-Wook , You Jei , Kim Jin Seog , Jamal Aqil , Gereige Issam , Ager Joel W. , Jung Hee-Tae
Published: June 2023

A new semiconductor-based photocatalytic reactor design with optimized pressure and flow rates on both sides of an intermediately placed catalyst enhances mass transport, accelerates CO desorption and prevents photocatalyst deactivation.
Tuning the product selectivity of CO2/H2O co-electrolysis using CeO2-modified proton-conducting electrolysis cells
Authors: Ye Yongjian , Lee WonJun , Pan Junxian , Sun Xiang , Zhou Mengzhen , Li Jiahui , Zhang Nian , Han Jeong Woo , Chen Yan
Published: June 2023

This work demonstrates surface engineering as an effective strategy to modulate the surface adsorption characteristics of reaction intermediates, hence promoting CO2/H2O co-electrolysis to produce CH4 using PCECs.
Sonication of egg and its effect on foaming behavior
Authors: Kavimughil M. , Dutta Sayantani , Moses J. A. , Anandharamakrishnan C.
Published: June 2023

Effect of sonication on egg foaming.
Edge contacts accelerate the response of MoS2 photodetectors
Authors: Strauß Fabian , Schedel Christine , Scheele Marcus
Published: June 2023

Edge contacts are compared to top contacts in terms of the photocurrent response of MoS2 multilayers. The faster response of the edge contacts is attributed to the predominantly in-plane direction of charge carrier diffusion.
Calotropis procera flower extract for the synthesis of double edged octahedral α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles via a greener approach: an insight into its structure property relationship for Escherichia coli
Authors: Murugan Karuvelan , Subashini Rajakannu , Sathiskumar Udayadasan , Odukkathil Greeshma
Published: June 2023

Urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) is regarded as one of the most serious issues confronting humans worldwide.
A novel strategy for the simultaneous discrimination of dopamine and epinephrine by cyclic square wave voltammetry implemented with a customized potentiostat
Authors: Deng Yuheng , Zhao Jie , Yu Yaoguang , Gao Junhan , Zhao Shifan , Yuan Jianying , Han Qingze , Cui Guofeng
Published: June 2023

An electrochemical strategy for the simultaneous detection of DA and EP with high sensitivity by cyclic square wave voltammetry using a modified open source potentiostat.
Heteroleptic ruthenium(ii) complexes featuringN-heterocyclic carbene-based C^N donor sets for solar energy conversion
Authors: Jain Nimisha , Mary Angelina , Singh Tanu , Gadiyaram Srushti , Jose D. Amilan , Naziruddin Abbas Raja
Published: June 2023

Single isomers of heteroleptic ruthenium(ii) complexes with anN-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based C^N donor-set and NCS ligands intransconfigurations are isolated. One of them depicted photovoltaic efficiency of ∼50% of the standardN3dye under similar conditions.
A novel series of tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridin-2-yl derivatives: fluorescence spectroscopy and BSA binding, ADMET properties, molecular docking, and DFT studies
Authors: Serdaroğlu Goncagül , Uludag Nesimi , Üstün Elvan , Colak Naki
Published: June 2023

A series of substituted tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridin-2-yl (THTP) derivatives were synthesized in one step using 2-amino-5,5,7,7-tetramethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridine-3-carbonitrile with chloro- and nitro-groups.
Hot off the Press
Authors: Hill Robert A. , Sutherland Andrew
Published: June 2023

A personal selection of 32 recent papers is presented covering various aspects of current developments in bioorganic chemistry and novel natural products such as jasminoxepinone from Jasminum sambac.
Enhanced brain delivery of hypoxia-sensitive liposomes by hydroxyurea for rescue therapy of hyperacute ischemic stroke
Authors: Wang Kai , Zhou Wentao , Jin Xiangyu , Shang Xuwei , Wu Xiaomei , Wen Lijuan , Li Sufen , Hong Yiling , Ke Jia , Xu Yichong , Yuan Hong , Hu Fuqiang
Published: June 2023

Hydroxyurea (Green dots) efficiently promoted regional cerebral blood flow and increased BBB permeability. Thereby, more hypoxia-sensitive liposomes NIPP/ER@HL-D were transported to lesions and entered brain to exert anti-stroke efficacy.
Precise control of CNT-DNA assembled nanomotor using oppositely charged dual nanopores
Authors: Ma Chaofan , Xu Wei , Liu Wei , Xu Changhui , Si Wei , Sha Jingjie
Published: June 2023

An assembled CNT-DNA nanomotor rotates in a dual nanopore system driven by electroosmotic flow.
Caesium carbonate promoted regioselective O-functionalization of 4,6-diphenylpyrimidin-2(1H)-ones under mild conditions and mechanistic insight
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Singh Praval Pratap , Dwivedi Ashish Ranjan , Kumar Naveen , Rakesh kumar  , Chandra Sahoo Subash , Chakraborty Sudip , Kumar Vinod
Published: June 2023

A facile one-step catalyst free regioselective functionalization of 4,6-diphenylpyrimidin-2(1H)-ones under mild conditions.