bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance assessment of charge plasma based hetero‐structure VTFET biosensor for linearity enhancement
Authors: Theja A. , Panchore Meena
Published: June 2023

This paper examines a charge plasma‐based hetero‐structure full gate vertical tunnel field effect transistor (CP‐FG‐VTFET) as a dielectrically modulated biosensor. It is also compared with a charge plasma‐based short gate vertical TFET (CP‐SG‐VTFET) biosensor and a charge plasma‐based asymmetrical vertical TFET (CP‐AS‐VTFET) biosensor with identical dimensions. We examine the basic physics of these biosensors and compare their ability to recognize charged and neutral molecules. It has been noted that these designs, which use GaSb as the n‐type TFET source material, are suitable for supply voltages lower than 1.2 V. The short gate device has a lower miller capacitance and a higher drive current because it has a narrow bandgap source material. Additionally, the left and right gate alignment of asymmetrical gate architectures has a considerable impact on the sensitivity of the device. Therefore, a simulation is conducted to assess the effects of gate misalignment on biosensor surface potential and drain current sensitivity. In addition, various figures of merits (FOMs) are computed for the device utilizing the dielectric constant range of 1–12, including linearity, sensitivity, and evaluation of noise characteristics. The widely available Silvaco TCAD was employed to simulate the proposed VTFET biosensors. A comprehensive evaluation of the FOM values showed that the CP‐FG‐VTFET is a promising device in terms of linearity and sensitivity.
Impact of raising the upper extremity siding cardiac implantable electrical devices on postoperative safety
Authors: Takeda Tomonori , Tsubaki Atsuhiro , Ikeda Yoshifumi , Kato Ritsushi , Kojima Sho , Makita Shigeru
Published: June 2023

Background

The upper extremity siding cardiac implantable electrical device tends to have a limited range of motion during the perioperative period; however, the underlying reason lacks scientific evidence. This study aimed to investigate the safety of the two methods (stepwise or early) of postoperative early upper extremity rehabilitation.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 650 consecutive patients with a new implantable pacemaker (PM), implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), or generator exchange between March 2017 and December 2020.

The limitation program was conducted from March 2017 to March 2018. The intervention program started as a stepwise protocol in April 2018 and was switched to an early protocol in December 2019.

Results

This study analyzed 591 patients, excluding 59 who met the exclusion criteria. The mean age was 76.0 (69.0–82.0) years; 412 (69.7%) patients had a PM, 79 (13.4%) had an ICD, and 100 (16.9%) utilized CRT. There were 155 patients in the limitation protocol, 251 in the stepwise protocol, and 185 patients in the early protocol groups. Postoperative complications occurred in 53 (9.0%) patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence of all complications between the three groups (16 patients [10.3%] vs. 26 patients [10.4%] vs. 11 patients [5.9%]). Shoulder exercise‐related complications were defined as hematoma (p = .94), lead dislodgement (p = .16), and increased pacing threshold (p = .23). General complications included wound infection (p = .51), pneumothorax (p = .27), tamponade (p = .07), and deep venous thrombosis (p = .26).

Conclusion

Raising of the upper extremity siding cardiac implantable electrical devices above the head did not compromise postoperative safety.
Characterization, variability and long‐term trends on local climate in a Mexican tropical dry forest
Authors: Takano‐Rojas Harumi , Murray‐Tortarolo Guillermo , Maass Manuel , Castillo Alicia
Published: June 2023

Based on 40 years of meteorological data, we characterized and analysed long‐term climatic trends in the Chamela‐Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve on the Pacific coast of central Mexico. The region is still covered by a large proportion of well‐preserved tropical dry forest, characterized by a short period of rain and a dry season of around 8 months. We found a sustained temperature increase which is likely driven by global climate change. An increasing trend in rainfall was also found, but the trend was detected only during the wet season. Correspondingly, an increase in runoff during the rainfall season was also detected; this seems to be linked with an increasing number of intense rainfall events, rather than an increase in the total number of rainy days. El Niño years are likely to present below average precipitation during the wet season and above average precipitation during the dry season. The opposite is expected during La Niña years, when tropical cyclones are likely to come closer to the coast and cause intense rainfall events during the hurricane season. As many of the studied variables are likely to change under climate change scenarios, our results highlight the need to understand the expected impacts of global climate change on tropical dry forests. In particular, it is necessary to monitor changes in water availability to anticipate its consequences for the forest and the human communities that depend on it.
Guidelines for ex vivo mechanical testing of tendon
Authors: Lake Spencer P. , Snedeker Jess G. , Wang Vincent M. , Awad Hani , Screen Hazel R. C. , Thomopoulos Stavros
Published: June 2023

Tendons are critical for the biomechanical function of joints. Tendons connect muscles to bones and allow for the transmission of muscle forces to facilitate joint motion. Therefore, characterizing the tensile mechanical properties of tendons is important for the assessment of functional tendon health and efficacy of treatments for acute and chronic injuries. In this guidelines paper, we review methodological considerations, testing protocols, and key outcome measures for mechanical testing of tendons. The goal of the paper is to present a simple set of guidelines to the nonexpert seeking to perform tendon mechanical tests. The suggested approaches provide rigorous and consistent methodologies for standardized biomechanical characterization of tendon and reporting requirements across laboratories.
Postglacial environmental change inferred from carbonate‐ and organic‐rich sediments of groundwater‐fed Kelly Lake, Kenai Peninsula, south‐central Alaska
Authors: Wrobleski Emmy A. , Broadman Ellie , Werner Al , Rodbell Donald T. , Kaufman Darrell S.
Published: June 2023

Major shifts in hydroclimate have been documented during the last deglacial period and the Holocene in south‐central Alaska. Rare freshwater calcium carbonate (marl) deposits in lakes on the Kenai Peninsula can be used to reconstruct past changes in hydroclimate, including the influence of groundwater inflow to lakes. Here, the postglacial sediment sequence from groundwater‐fed Kelly Lake (60.514°N, 150.374°W) was analyzed for multiple proxies including isotopes of carbon and oxygen in marl calcite (δ13Cmarl and δ18Omarl), and isotopes of carbon (ẟ13COM) and abundances of C and N in organic matter. Bulk sediment analyses include organic matter and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) contents, visual stratigraphy and sediment flux. These analyses extend those of a previous paleoenvironmental reconstruction from Kelly Lake, which focused on sedimentary diatom oxygen isotopes and mass balance modeling over the past 10 000 years. Here, we show that Kelly Lake was deglaciated prior to 14.6 ka, and that by 14.0 ka marl dominated the sediments, with CaCO3 precipitation probably driven by groundwater input and mediated by shallow‐water charophytes. Marl accumulation decreased as organic and clastic inputs increased between ~12.2 and 11.5 ka. This shift, together with an increase in both δ13Cmarl and δ18Omarl values and a decrease in CaCO3 content, indicates an increase in the influence of meteoric water on the hydrologic budget under wet conditions, possibly driven by a strengthened Aleutian Low atmospheric pressure cell. A shift to lower δ13Cmarl and δ18Omarl values at ~11.5 ka is interpreted as an increase in the proportion of groundwater relative to meteoric water in the lake. Beginning around 9 ka, the proportion of meteoric water input continued to increase, the surrounding coniferous forest was established, and by 8 ka, CaCO3 accumulation ended. Our results elucidate the environmental conditions under which marl was deposited during the Lateglacial and early Holocene in this part of Alaska, and demonstrate how a variety of synoptic‐ and local‐scale climatic variables can converge to influence sedimentation in a groundwater‐fed lake.
A comprehensive evaluation of serum tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer
Authors: Li Xun , Zhang Yu , Li Yang , Gu Xinliang , Ju Shaoqing
Published: June 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant digestive system tumor. Since the early symptoms of GC are usually vague and the positive rate of common biomarkers of GC is low, it is of urgent need to find new biomarkers with good sensitivity and specificity to screen and diagnose GC patients. The tRNA‐derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are emerging small noncoding RNAs that play an essential role in cancer progression. In this study, we explored whether novel tsRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for GC. Three tsRNAs significantly upregulated in GC were screened by the tsRFun database. The expression level of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP was detected by real‐time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Agarose gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the characteristics of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP. The χ2 test was used to analyze the correlation between tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP expression level and clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to analyze the correlation between tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP expression levels and survival time of GC patients. In this study, the expression level of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP was significantly increased in GC tissues. The expression level of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP was considerably higher in the serum of GC patients than in the serum of gastritis patients and in the serum of healthy donors, and the expression level of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP was significantly decreased in the serum of GC patients after surgery. In addition, the χ2 test showed that the expression level of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP in GC serum was correlated with differentiation grade, T‐stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor node metastasis stage, and neurological/vascular invasion. The results of the survival curve showed that the high expression of serum tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP was associated with a low survival rate. ROC analysis showed that serum tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP had higher diagnostic efficiency than common GC biomarkers, and the diagnostic efficiency was further improved by combining them. At the end of the study, we predicted the downstream of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP. The expression level of tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP in the serum of GC patients can effectively identify GC patients and has higher efficacy than conventional biomarkers. In addition, serum tRF‐29‐R9J8909NF5JP can monitor the postoperative condition of GC patients, suggesting that it has the potential to become a biomarker for GC.
Free‐style propeller ulnar artery perforator flaps for radial forearm flap donor site repair
Authors: Marchesi Andrea , Gatto Arianna , Cavalli Erica M. , Del Bene Massimo
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is still one of the most used free flaps to repair soft tissue defects of the head and neck. Among its main drawbacks, it presents severe donor site complications. We report our experience about the use of free‐style propeller ulnar artery perforator flaps (UAP) to repair RFFF donor site.

Patients and Methods

From February 2010 to June 2020, six patients who underwent immediate tongue reconstruction with RFFF after cancer excision, had the donor site at the forearm reconstructed with a free‐style propeller UAP flap. The indication for a UAP flap was based on defect size and the presence of tendons or radial nerve exposure. Ulnar artery perforators were identified intra‐operatively with a handheld Doppler. The UAP flaps were harvested and rotated to cover donor site defects. The patients' mean age was 59, ranging from 49 to 65 years old. The defects size ranged from 8–12 cm × 5–7 cm with a mean size of 10.5 × 6.7 cm.

Results

The UAP flap harvested ranged from 8–11 cm × 5–7 cm with a mean size of 10.5 × 5.5 cm. The perforators, identified with a power Doppler, were located at the middle third of the forearm. Flaps' rotation varied from 90 to 160° with a mean rotation of 122°. Mean operating time was 60 min ranging from 40 to 75 min for UAP flap elevation. No flap necrosis or tendon exposure occurred. One case of wound dehiscence was reported. Two out of six patients suffered from tendon adhesions to the flap. UAP flap donor site was primarily closed in four out of six patients, whereas two cases required a split‐thickness skin grafts. Mean donor site healing time was about 20 days (19.8 days) ranging from 14 to 30 days. Follow‐up ranged from 12 to 31 months with a mean follow up time of 19 months (18.6 months). At 6 months follow‐up only one patient experienced a functional limitation of wrist and finger joints extension of 20° which required tenolysis. At the end of the patient's follow up that is 22 months, the range of movement was within normal limits. In our casuistry neuropathic pain was absent.

Conclusions

RFF is still a paramount tool in reconstructive surgery but its donor site is still burdened by a high complication rate. Free‐style UAP flaps can provide a local and safe solution.
COVID‐19 infection in myasthenia gravis: Clinical course and outcomes
Authors: Thomas Eleanor V. , Bou Gabriela , Barton Shawn , Hutto Spencer , Garcia‐Santibanez Rocio
Published: June 2023

Introduction/Aims

Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients have been predicted to have high rates of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) complications due to frequent involvement of respiratory muscles in MG and frequent use of immunosuppressive therapies. We investigated outcomes of MG patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 to identify risk factors for exacerbation and severe disease.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 39 MG patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection from January March 1, 2020 to October 25, 2021 at Emory University. Patients’ records were queried for demographic data, MG history, and COVID‐19 treatments and hospitalizations.

Results

At the time of infection, 8 of 39 were vaccinated, 30 of 39 unvaccinated, and 1 unknown. Average age was 52.6 years. Twenty‐seven patients were receiving immunomodulatory treatments at the time of infection. Thirty‐five of 39 were symptomatic, 21 were hospitalized, and 7 required ventilations. MG exacerbations occurred in 5 and were treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (n = 1), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (n = 1), and prednisone taper (n = 5). Four hospitalized patients died from COVID‐related lung injuries. No deaths were attributed to MG exacerbation; however, one patient receiving IVIg for MG exacerbation had a pulmonary embolism. There were no deaths in fully vaccinated patients, and only one vaccinated patient was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Discussion

High rates of COVID‐19 complications and death were observed in this cohort of MG patients. Some patients with MG and COVID‐19 also had an exacerbation during infection. Further studies are needed to determine whether MG patients are at higher risk for complications than the rest of the population.
Nutrition management of pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Guidelines, gaps, and research
Authors: Ringwald‐Smith Karen , Hillman Hayley , Gibbons Kristy , Epperly Rebecca
Published: June 2023

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a key component of supportive care for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. During the transplant process, several complications and side effects may be encountered that require alteration of the nutrition support, interventions, and monitoring provided. The focus of this review is to discuss current guidelines and research for the provision of MNT to these patients, along with recommendations on how to bridge the gap in MNT knowledge.
Animal resource exploitation at the Huadizui site on the eve of state formation in China (1850–1750 BC)
Authors: Liu Yiting , Yuan Jing , Gu Wanfa , Wu Qian , Zhang Yongqing , Wang Yang
Published: June 2023

The Xinzhai period (1850–1750 BC) was on the eve of state formation. Abundant animal remains unearthed from the Huadizui site provide new key materials for a comprehensive understanding of animal resource utilization at that time. At Huadizui, the exploitation of pigs and sheep shows a meat‐oriented utilization. The exploitation of secondary products for sheep and cattle was absent. The activities of raising, hunting and consuming large bovines were less efficient but served as significant approaches to demonstrate the wealth or prestige of elites. In contrast, the Xinzhai site, a potential capital during Xinzhai Period, saw newly intensified and specialized animal exploitation, especially for secondary products. This differentiation in animal exploitation appeared earlier than state formation, suggesting the new intensified manner of animal utilization, that is, the exploitation of secondary products, may have been a critical force in sustaining the crucial political shift. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of animal exploitation in the process of state formation.
Bringing the arts into socio‐ecological research: An analysis of the barriers and opportunities to collaboration across the divide
Authors: Black J. E. , Morrison K. , Urquhart J. , Potter C. , Courtney P. , Goodenough A.
Published: June 2023

Socio‐ecological research collaborations between artists, natural and social scientists, and with the humanities more broadly, have increased significantly in recent years. This has been aided by increased investment by funding bodies such as UK Research and Innovation and others internationally in projects designed to encourage cross‐disciplinary partnerships.

Within socio‐ecological research and beyond it, despite some success stories, there is still a lack of awareness in ‘the sciences’ regarding how ‘the arts’ undertake their own forms of enquiry into the world. Further, different terminology and language used by different disciplines can cause confusion and misunderstanding, potentially leading to a reluctance to work collaboratively.

In this paper, we discuss diversity within the arts as a discipline and seek to clarify various terminologies being used in both the arts and sciences to characterise joint working in research projects.

Drawing on a series of semi‐structured interviews and a workshop with artists and natural and social scientists with experience of collaboration in socio‐ecological research, we compare understandings and expectations and reflect on the implications for funding bodies, institutions, artists and scientists which are widely applicable across different research contexts.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
“Jikoshu”: Japanese studies in the 1960s and 1970s, and international trends today
Authors: Kobayashi Toshiyuki
Published: June 2023

In the 1960s and 1970s, there was widespread discussion in Japan about the pathological experience of “unpleasant odors emanating from one's body.” This symptom is called “Jikoshu,” and this term was used in combination with various words, such as “Genkaku” (hallucination) and “Moso” (delusion), reflecting its symptomatological ambiguity. The best‐known term in the English‐language literature is Jikoshu‐Kyofu (Jikoshu phobia). By further abstracting this symptom and viewing it as a delusion‐like experience of “something leaking out of me,” egorrhea syndrome (Fujinawa) was proposed, which was considered to be partly a pathology of schizophrenia. Similar cases were characteristically observed during adolescence, and a study emerged suggesting that the syndrome was “adolescent paranoia” (Murakami), distinct from schizophrenia. However, the terms “Jikoshu‐Taiken” (Jikoshu experience; Kasahara et al.) and “Jikoshu‐Sho” (Jikoshu syndrome; Miyamoto) were proposed to emphasize the nosological ambiguity. Considered a culture‐bound syndrome unique to Japan or East Asia, Jikoshu received little attention in the English‐language literature apart from a 1971 study of olfactory reference syndrome (Pryse‐Phillips), which presents with similar symptoms. In recent years, research has placed this disorder within the obsessive‐compulsive spectrum, and it has been adopted as an ICD‐11 disorder under the term “olfactory reference disorder.”
Caring for two in the ICU: Pharmacologic management of pregnancy‐related complications
Authors: Heavner Mojdeh S. , Cucci Michaelia D. , Barlow Brooke , Bell Carolyn Magee , Eng Claire C. , Erdman Grace , Li Matthew , Smith Susan E. , Aldhaeefi Mohammed , Thompson Bastin Melissa L. , Hawkins W. Anthony , Rose Christina , Lankford Allison
Published: June 2023

Maternal mortality continues to be an issue globally despite advances in technology and pharmacotherapy. Pregnancy can lead to complications that necessitate immediate action to prevent severe morbidity and mortality. Patients may need escalation to the ICU setting for close monitoring and administration of advanced therapies not available elsewhere. Obstetric emergencies are rare but high‐stakes events that require clinicians to have prompt identification and management. The purpose of this review is to describe complications of pregnancy and provide a focused resource of pharmacotherapy considerations that clinicians may encounter. For each disease state, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management are summarized. Brief descriptions of non‐pharmacological (e.g., cesarean or vaginal delivery of the baby) interventions are provided. Mainstays of pharmacotherapy highlighted include oxytocin for obstetric hemorrhage, methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy, magnesium and antihypertensive agents for preeclampsia and eclampsia, eculizumab for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, diuretics, metoprolol, and anticoagulation for peripartum cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary vasodilators for amniotic fluid embolism.
Delirium following traumatic brain injury in adolescents: Symptomatology and prediction of ability to return to school or employment 1‐year post‐injury
Authors: Garofano Jeffrey S. , Nakase‐Richardson Risa , Barnett Scott D. , Yablon Stuart A. , Evans Clea , Zaim Nadia
Published: June 2023

Background

There is a limited evidence‐base describing clinical features of delirium in youth. What is known is largely extrapolated from studies of adults or samples with heterogeneous etiologies. It is unclear if the symptoms experienced by adolescents differ from those experienced by adults, or the degree to which delirium impacts the ability of adolescents to return to school or work.

Objective

To describe delirium symptomatology among adolescents following a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms were compared by adolescent delirium status and across age groups. Delirium and its relationship with adolescent employability 1 year post‐injury was also examined.

Design

Exploratory secondary analysis of prospectively collected data.

Setting

Free‐standing rehabilitation hospital.

Patients

Severely injured TBI Model Systems neurorehabilitation admissions (n = 243; median Glasgow Coma Scale = 7). The sample was divided into three age groups (adolescents, 16–21 years, n = 63; adults 22–49 years, n = 133; older adults ≥50 years, n = 47).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Measures

We assessed patients using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM‐IV) diagnostic criteria and the Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised 98 (DRS‐R‐98). The employability item from the Disability Rating Scale was the primary 1‐year outcome.

Results

Most items on the DRS‐R‐98 differentiated delirious from non‐delirious adolescents. Only “delusions” differed among age groups. Among adolescents, delirium status 1 month post‐TBI provided acceptable classification of employability prediction 1 year later (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.91, p < .001). Delirium symptom severity (AUC: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.68–1.03, SE: 0.09; p < .001) and days of post‐traumatic amnesia (AUC: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.68–1.01, SE: 0.08; p < .001) provided excellent prediction of outcomes for TBI patients in delirium.

Conclusions

Delirium symptomatology was similar among age groups and useful in differentiating the delirium status within the adolescent TBI group. Delirium and symptom severity at 1 month post‐TBI were highly predictive of poor outcomes. Findings from this study support the utility of DRS‐R‐98 at 1 month post‐injury to inform treatment and planning.
Orthogonal translation with 5‐cyanotryptophan as an infrared probe for local structural information, electrostatics, and hydrogen bonding
Authors: von Freiherr Sass Georg Johannes , Blain‐Hartung Matthew , Baumann Tobias , Forest Katrina T. , Hildebrandt Peter , Budisa Nediljko
Published: June 2023

Orthogonal translation is an efficient tool that provides many valuable spectral probes capable of covering different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and thus enabling parameterization of various structural and dynamic phenomena in proteins. In this context, nitrile‐containing tryptophan analogs are very useful probes to study local electrostatics and hydrogen bonding in both rigid and dynamic environments. Here, we report a semi‐rational approach to engineer a tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) variant of Methanocaldococcus jannaschii capable of incorporating 5‐cyanotryptophan (5CNW) via orthogonal translation. We combined one round of the well‐established positive selection system with saturation mutagenesis at preselected TyrRS positions, resulting in a novel 5CNW‐specific enzyme that also exhibits high substrate tolerance to other aromatic noncanonical amino acids. We demonstrated the utility of our orthogonal pair by inserting 5CNW into the cyanobacteriochrome Slr1393g3, a bilin‐binding photosensor of the phytochrome superfamily. The nitrile (CN) group of the inserted 5CNW provides non‐invasive labeling in the local structural context while yielding information on local electrostatics and hydrogen bonding by IR spectroscopy. 5CNW is a versatile probe that can be used for both static and dynamic measurements.
BTS on community‐acquired and aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: June 2023

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has recently published new Clinical Statements on community‐acquired pneumonia in people with learning disability and on aspiration pneumonia, offering best practice advice for managing these conditions. This article summarises some of the main clinical practice points from the statements.
Finerenone for chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: June 2023

Finerenone (Kerendia) is a mineralocorticoid‐receptor antagonist for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This article discusses its indications, efficacy and adverse effects.
Semiconductor‐to‐Metal‐like Transition Behavior under Temperature Variation for Inkjet Printed PEDOT:PSS Tracks Embedded in Polymer
Authors: Moagăr-Poladian Gabriel , Mitra Kalyan Yoti , Mitra Dana , Thalheim Robert , Zichner Ralf , Moagăr-Poladian Victor , Pachiu Cristina , Dumbrăvescu Niculae , Vasilache Dan
Published: June 2023

Herein, it is intended to show the effect of embedding an inkjet printed poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) track in an insulator polymer, impacting its electronic transition behavior, as a consequence of temperature variation. A transition from semiconductor‐to‐metal‐like behavior is observed, when the temperature is seen to exceed a certain value, which is of a nonchemical origin. Both the presented experimental and simulation results show how this transition really occurs. The proposed physical mechanism for explaining such a behavior is verified with good repeatability. The main conclusion indicates consideration of special precautions, while enclosing inkjet‐printed PEDOT:PSS‐based tracks or sensors operating under ambient conditions, along with fluctuations. This conclusion can potentially be applied to any other inkjet printed conductive organic polymer film embedded in an insulator that fulfills the conditions encountered in the experiments. The impact of this effect may be reduced and mitigated by using inkjet printing, in combination with other additive manufacturing technique. The results presented here are considered very important, as they lay the foundation for the correct compensation of the thermal drift of organic electronics‐based circuits.
Pretreatment with Notoginsenoside R1 attenuates high‐altitude hypoxia‐induced cardiac injury via activation of the ERK1/2‐P90RSK‐Bad signaling pathway in rats
Authors: Zhao Sijing , Jia Nan , Shen Zherui , Pei Caixia , Huang Demei , Liu Junling , Wang Yilan , Shi Shihua , Wang Xiaomin , Wang Mingjie , He Yacong , Wang Zhenxing
Published: June 2023

High‐altitude cardiac injury (HACI) is one of the common tissue injuries caused by high‐altitude hypoxia that may be life threatening. Notoginsenoside R1 (NG‐R1), a major saponin of Panax notoginseng, exerts anti‐oxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptosis effects, protecting the myocardium from hypoxic injury. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and molecular mechanism of NG‐R1 against HACI. We simulated a 6000 m environment for 48 h in a hypobaric chamber to create a HACI rat model. Rats were pretreated with NG‐R1 (50, 100 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) for 3 days and then placed in the chamber for 48 h. The effect of NG‐R1 was evaluated by changes in Electrocardiogram parameters, histopathology, cardiac biomarkers, oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators, key protein expression, and immunofluorescence. U0126 was used to verify whether the anti‐apoptotic effect of NG‐R1 was related to the activation of ERK pathway. Pretreatment with NG‐R1 can improve abnormal cardiac electrical conduction and alleviate high‐altitude‐induced tachycardia. Similar to dexamethasone, NG‐R1 can improve pathological damage, reduce the levels of cardiac injury biomarkers, oxidative stress, and inflammatory indicators, and down‐regulate the expression of hypoxia‐related proteins HIF‐1α and VEGF. In addition, NG‐R1 reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by down‐regulating the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9, and cleaved PARP1 and up‐regulating the expression of anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 through activating the ERK1/2‐P90RSK‐Bad pathway. In conclusion, NG‐R1 prevented HACI and suppressed apoptosis via activation of the ERK1/2‐P90RSK‐Bad pathway, indicating that NG‐R1 has therapeutic potential to treat HACI.
Bringing cultural inclusion to the classroom through intercultural teaching practices for science education (ITPSE) and guiding tools
Authors: Tovar‐Gálvez Julio César
Published: June 2023

Intercultural teaching practices for science education (ITPSE) are suitable to support science teachers in bringing cultural inclusion into their classrooms. The epistemological bridge is the base of the ITPSE design since this approach describes culturally inclusive teaching of science. There is an ITPSE of planning and one of enactment. With those ITPSE, teachers engage students in explaining a phenomenon from science's epistemology and nonhegemonic cultures' epistemologies. Design‐based research is the methodology to produce the ITPSE through three design–test–design cycles. This paper reports on the third cycle to identify evidence to redesign the ITPSE. As a result, the teacher enacted through the ITPSE a version of the epistemological bridge very close to the framework. In addition, her reflection and feedback pointed to the guiding tools refinement.
Low‐rank latent matrix‐factor prediction modeling for generalized high‐dimensional matrix‐variate regression
Authors: Zhang Yuzhe , Zhang Xu , Zhang Hong , Liu Aiyi , Liu Catherine C.
Published: June 2023

Motivated by diagnosing the COVID‐19 disease using two‐dimensional (2D) image biomarkers from computed tomography (CT) scans, we propose a novel latent matrix‐factor regression model to predict responses that may come from an exponential distribution family, where covariates include high‐dimensional matrix‐variate biomarkers. A latent generalized matrix regression (LaGMaR) is formulated, where the latent predictor is a low‐dimensional matrix factor score extracted from the low‐rank signal of the matrix variate through a cutting‐edge matrix factor model. Unlike the general spirit of penalizing vectorization plus the necessity of tuning parameters in the literature, instead, our prediction modeling in LaGMaR conducts dimension reduction that respects the geometric characteristic of intrinsic 2D structure of the matrix covariate and thus avoids iteration. This greatly relieves the computation burden, and meanwhile maintains structural information so that the latent matrix factor feature can perfectly replace the intractable matrix‐variate owing to high‐dimensionality. The estimation procedure of LaGMaR is subtly derived by transforming the bilinear form matrix factor model onto a high‐dimensional vector factor model, so that the method of principle components can be applied. We establish bilinear‐form consistency of the estimated matrix coefficient of the latent predictor and consistency of prediction. The proposed approach can be implemented conveniently. Through simulation experiments, the prediction capability of LaGMaR is shown to outperform some existing penalized methods under diverse scenarios of generalized matrix regressions. Through the application to a real COVID‐19 dataset, the proposed approach is shown to predict efficiently the COVID‐19.
A New Avenue to Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Diaryl Sulfones
Authors: Verma Narsingh , Vikram Singh Ravindra , Singh Raghuvanshi Dushyant
Published: June 2023

We describe a highly efficient route for the sulfonylation (C‐SO2) of various halo arenes, boronic acids, and aromatic diazonium salt through a cross‐coupling reaction. The protocol incorporates the efficient use of Cu(OAc)2/K2CO3 and N‐Hydoxy aryl sulfonamide as an aryl sulfone surrogate. Various substrates and functional groups were well tolerated in this reaction system.
Investigation of the Inhibition Mechanism of Organic Corrosion Inhibitors on the Copper Surface by DFT study and MD simulations
Authors: Zeng Huili , Zhao Xinyu , Wang Yi , Dong Xiaoman , Liu Anmin , Ren Xuefeng
Published: June 2023

Supports of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21908017 and 21902021), the Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program Dalian University of Technology (20211014110934), the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of High‐efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering (2022‐K70), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (DUT22LK09), the Open Foundation of Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, MOE (KLIEEE‐20‐01, KLIEEE‐21‐02), and the Hefei Advanced Computing Center for this work are gratefully acknowledged.
Development of Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors Based on Molecular Docking, Kinetics, and Toxicity Studies
Authors: Téllez‐Valencia Alfredo , Hernández‐Ortiz Irving , Guadalupe López Lujano Paola , Luis Vique‐Sánchez José
Published: June 2023

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a protein that contributes to the development of diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. In the last five years, several studies have been carried out to develop a drug that is capable of inhibiting the functions of this protein that are related to chronic degenerative diseases and obesity. In this study, we used PTP1B as a therapeutic target to perform a molecular docking to identify compounds that specifically bind to the PTP1B human protein. After molecular docking from over 500,000 compounds, we selected the six with the highest binding score and evaluated their inhibitory effect in in vitro assays. The data showed that PT2 compound was the most potent with an IC50 value of 9 μM and a noncompetitive inhibition mechanism. According to molecular docking, this compound made specific interactions in the catalytic domain of PTP1B, that could be responsible for their inhibition capability. Furthermore, cytotoxic studies in MCF‐7 cells indicated that it could be safe for humans. Therefore, PT2 compound may be a promising new drug to attend the diseases where PTP1B has functions.
A Facile synthesis of Biaryl ketones in recyclable system: Triazenes as new coupling partners in the carbonylative Suzuki and Hiyama cross‐coupling reactions using NFSac as CO source
Authors: Anchi Athmanand , Kalkhambkar Rajesh G. , Kumar P Pavan , Naik Ravi S , Refat Moamen S. , Adam Abdel Majid A. , Alsuhaibani Amnah Mohammed , Bakare Safyah B.
Published: June 2023

Palladium‐catalyzed carbonylation reactions aid as potent tools for the insertion of carbonyl unit(s) in a wide array of molecules possessing vast number of applications in multiple domains. An efficient and facile protocol has been reported for the carbonylative Suzuki (CO−S) and carbonylative Hiyama (CO−H) coupling of aryl triazenes using phenyl boronic acid and triethoxy(phenyl)silane respectivelyviaa Pd‐catalysis in combination with Ionic liquids (ILs). Four different ILs have been employed as solvent/reagent/promotor(s) to afford the targeted products in reasonably good yields. As per the predictive mechanism, anin situgeneratedN‐Heterocarbene‐Ionicliquid‐Palladium (NHC‐IL‐Pd) species serve as a regenerative catalyst while theN‐formyl saccharin (NFSac), a non‐hazardous and commercially available crystalline compound was used as carbon monoxide (CO) surrogate playing important roles to accomplish the desired products in good yields.
Fluoride Induced Dual Mode Moisture Detection in Organic Solvents, Food, and Agricultural Materials using Benzothiazole Based Azo Dye Sensor
Authors: Joshi Supriya , Joshi Ritika , Jadhao Manojkumar
Published: June 2023

Moisture detection through naked eye is important in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, fuels, materials, and agriculture. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a strategically designed organic molecule, 2AMBP, for the detection of moisture in organic solvents and real‐life samples. The principle behind this sensory system involves fluoride‐induced deprotonation followed by water‐induced re‐protonation. The deprotonated form of 2AMBP displays a color‐changing response (yellow to pink) even in trace amounts of water (LOD: 0.0207 % by spectrophotometric analysis), making it a highly sensitive probe for detecting moisture. We show that the anionic receptor moieties of 2AMBP can be employed for the quantification of water impurity in various real‐life samples, and we develop inexpensive, reusable, dye‐coated paper sensor for quick onsite moisture detection and quantification. Interestingly, a smart phone camera can be used to provide relative RGB values that directly correlate to the amount of moisture present in the sample. The 2AMBP‐F‐ exhibits significant changes in fluorescence properties in the presence and absence of water, which makes it an effective fluorescent switch for detecting moisture. Overall, 2AMBP is a highly sensitive, sustainable material that can be conveniently used by laymen for moisture detection without the need for specific instruments or expertise.
A Self‐Templated Design Approach toward Multivariate Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Dong Pengfei , Gu Yuming , Wen Gehua , Luo Rengan , Bao Songsong , Ma Jing , Lei Jianping
Published: June 2023

Multivariate metal–organic framework (MOF) is an ideal electrocatalytic material due to the synergistic effect of multiple metal active sites. In this study, a series of ternary M‐NiMOF (M = Co, Cu) through a simple self‐templated strategy that the Co/Cu MOF isomorphically grows in situ on the surface of NiMOF is designed. Owing to the electron rearrange of adjacent metals, the ternary CoCu‐NiMOFs demonstrate the improved intrinsic electrocatalytic activity. At optimized conditions, the ternary Co3Cu‐Ni2MOFs nanosheets give the excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of current density of 10 mA cm−2 at low overpotential of 288 mV with a Tafel slope of 87 mV dec−1, which is superior to that of bimetallic nanosheet and ternary microflowers. The low free energy change of potential‐determining step identifies that the OER process is favorable at Cu–Co concerted sites along with strong synergistic effect of Ni nodes. Partially oxidized metal sites also reduce the electron density, thus accelerating the OER catalytic rate. The self‐templated strategy provides a universal tool to design multivariate MOF electrocatalysts for highly efficient energy transduction.
Self‐Driven Droplet Motions Below their Icing Points
Authors: Wang Lizhong , Jiang Guochen , Zhu Dongyu , Tian Ze , Chen Changhao , Hu Xinyu , Peng Rui , Li Daizhou , Zhang Hongjun , Zhao Huanyu , Fan Peixun , Zhong Minlin
Published: June 2023

Liquid fluidity is a most key prerequisite for a broad range of technologies, from energy, fluid machineries, microfluidic devices, water, and oil transportation to bio‐deliveries. While from thermodynamics, the liquid fluidity gradually diminishes as temperature decreases until completely solidified below icing points. Here, self‐driven droplet motions are discovered and demonstrated occurring in icing environments and accelerating with both moving distances and droplet volumes. The self‐driven motions, including self‐depinning and continuous wriggling, require no surface pre‐preparation or energy input but are triggered by the overpressure spontaneously established during icing and then continuously accelerated by capillary pulling of frosts. Such self‐driven motions are generic to a broad class of liquid types, volumes, and numbers on various micro‐nanostructured surfaces and can be facilely manipulated by introducing pressure gradients spontaneously or externally. The discovery and control of self‐driven motions below icing points can greatly broaden liquid‐related applications in icing environments.
A Uniform Self‐Reinforced Organic/Inorganic Hybrid SEI Chelation Strategy on Microscale Silicon Surfaces for Stable‐Cycling Anodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Xin , Tabish Mohammad , Zhu Wenping , Chen Xiaohong , Song Huaihe
Published: June 2023

A promising anode material for Li‐ion batteries, silicon (Si) suffers from volume expansion‐induced pulverization and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) instability. Microscale Si with high tap density and high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) has become a more anticipated choice, but it will exacerbate the above issues. In this work, the polymer polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐lithium bis (allylmalonato) borate (PSLB) is constructed by in situ chelation on microscale Si surfaces via click chemistry. This polymerized nanolayer has an “organic/inorganic hybrid flexible cross‐linking” structure that can accommodate the volume change of Si. Under the stable framework formed by PSLB, a large number of oxide anions on the chain segment preferentially adsorb LiPF6 and further induce the integration of inorganic‐rich, dense SEI, which improves the mechanical stability of SEI and provides accelerated kinetics for Li+ transfer. Therefore, the Si4@PSLB anode exhibits significantly enhanced long‐cycle performance. After 300 cycles at 1 A g−1, it can still provide a specific capacity of 1083 mAh g−1. Cathode‐coupled with LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2 (NCM90) in the full cell retains 80.8% of its capacity after 150 cycles at 0.5 C.
The Effect of the Alkyl Chains of the Alkylammonium Pesudohalide Additives on the Performance of Dion Jacobson Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cui Xiaodan , Zhang Hui , Duan Jianing , Dong Jingjin , Xi Jun , Shao Shuyan , Fei Zhuping , Li Zhen
Published: June 2023

Dion‐Jacobson perovskite (DJP) films suffer from the high structural disorder and non‐compact morphology, leading to inefficient and unstable solar cells (SCs). Here, how the alkyl chains of alkylammonium pseudohalide additives including methylammonium thiocyanate (MASCN) and ethylammonium thiocyanate (EASCN), and propylammonium thiocyanate (PASCN), impact the microstructures, optoelectronic properties and the performance of the solar cells is investigated. These additives substantially improve the structural order and the morphology of the DJP films, yielding more efficient and stable solar cells than the control device. They behave quite differently in modifying the morphological features. Particularly, EASCN outstands the additives in terms of the superior morphology, which is compact and uniform and consists of the largest flaky grains. Consequently, the corresponding device delivers a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.27% and maintains ≈86% of the initial PCE after aging in the air for 182 h. Conversely, MASCN as an additive produces uneven DJP film and the device maintains only 46% of the initial PCE. PASCN as an additive produces the finest grains in the DJP film, and the corresponding device yields a PCE of 11.95%. From the economical point of view, it costs 0.0025 yuan per device for the EASCN additive, allowing for cost‐effective perovskite solar cells.
Ultralight and Superelastic Curly Micro/Nanofibrous Aerogels by Direct Electrospinning Enable High‐Performance Warmth Retention
Authors: Wang Sai , Zhu Chaohu , Wang Fei , Yu Jianyong , Zhang Shichao , Ding Bin
Published: June 2023

Extremely low temperature has posed huge burden on the public safety concerns and global economics, thereby calling for high‐performance warmth retention materials to resist harsh environment. However, most present fibrous warmth retention materials are limited by their large fiber diameter and simple stacking structure, leading to heavy weight, weak mechanical property, and limited thermal insulation performance. Herein, an ultralight and mechanically robust polystyrene/polyurethane fibrous aerogel by direct electrospinning for warmth retention is reported. Manipulation of charge density and phase separation of charged jet allows for the direct assembly of fibrous aerogels consisting of interweaved curly wrinkled micro/nanofibers. The resultant curly wrinkled micro/nanofibrous aerogel possesses low density of 6.8 mg cm−3 and nearly full recovery from 1500‐cycle deformations, exhibiting both ultralight feature and superelastic property. The aerogel also shows low thermal conductivity of 24.5 mW m−1 K−1, making synthetic warmth retention materials superior to down feather possible. This work may shed light on developing versatile 3D micro/nanofibrous materials for environmental, biological, and energy applications.
Exploring The Synergistic Effect Of CoSeP/CoP Interface Catalyst For Efficient Urea Electrolysis
Authors: Lu Borong , Lv Chunmei , Xie Ying , Gao Lianxin , Yan Jun , Zhu Kai , Wang Guiling , Cao Dianxue , Ye Ke
Published: June 2023

Electrocatalytic oxidation of urea (UOR) is a potential energy‐saving hydrogen production technology that can replace oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Therefore, CoSeP/CoP interface catalyst is synthesized on nickel foam using hydrothermal, solvothermal, and in situ template methods. The strong interaction of tailored CoSeP/CoP interface promotes the hydrogen production performance of electrolytic urea. During the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the overpotential can reach 33.7 mV at 10 mA cm−2. The cell voltage can reach 1.36 V at 10 mA cm−2 in the overall urea electrolytic process. Notably, the overall urine electrolysis performance of the catalyst in the human urine medium can reach 1.40 V at 10 mA cm−2 and can exhibit durable cycle stability at 100 mA cm−2. Density functional theory (DFT) proves that the CoSeP/CoP interface catalyst can better adsorb and stabilize reaction intermediates CO* and NH* on its surface through a strong synergistic effect, thus enhancing the catalytic activity.