bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymeric Molecular Design Towards Horizontal Zn Electrodeposits at Constrained 2D Zn2+ Diffusion: Dendrite‐Free Zn Anode for Long‐Life and High‐Rate Aqueous Zinc Metal Battery
Authors: Xie Dan , Wang Zhi‐Wei , Gu Zhen‐Yi , Diao Wan‐Yue , Tao Fang‐Yu , Liu Chang , Sun Hai‐Zhu , Wu Xing‐Long , Wang Jia‐Wei , Zhang Jing‐Ping
Published: May 2022

Aqueous zinc metal batteries have garnered unprecedented attention owing to their high theoretical specific capacity, appropriate redox potential, and remarkable sustainability. Nevertheless, the intractable issues induced by the notorious Zn dendrite growth and serious interfacial side reactions significantly impede their large‐scale utilization. Inducing Zn to electrodeposit through parallel arrangement mode is critical to realizing dendrite‐free Zn metal anodes (ZMAs). To realize this purpose, a unique polymeric molecular design strategy through chemically grafting a thin polyanthraquinone (PAQ) overlayer on the Zn surface in the manner of spontaneous polymerization reaction of anthraquinone diazonium tetrafluoroborate (AQN2+BF4−) is proposed firstly. Impressively, thus‐derived PAQ overlayer as an artificial protective layer can constrain the Zn2+ ions 2D diffusion and homogenize the electric field and Zn2+ ions concentration distribution, further guiding preferential growth along the Zn(002) plane. Assisted by the PAQ overlayer, the dendrite growth, H2 evolution reaction, and Zn corrosion on ZMAs are suppressed effectively. Accordingly, such polymeric molecular modified ZMAs ensure a remarkably high Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% at 4 mA cm−2 and achieve a long cycling lifespan up to 1750 h at 1 mA cm−2 and superior rate capability. This work provides a new insight into designing an interface protective layer for achieving highly stable ZMAs.
Rare‐Earth‐Based Perovskite Cs2AgScCl6:Bi for Strong Full Visible Spectrum Emission
Authors: Zeng Zhichao , Sun Mingzi , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Hongtu , Shi Xiaomeng , Ye Shi , Huang Bolong , Du Yaping , Yan Chun‐Hua
Published: May 2022

Most luminescent materials can only emit light with a particular wavelength. In general, various phosphors with complementary spectral ranges are mixed to realize full‐spectrum lighting. Therefore, the integration of luminescence at different wavebands in the single component matrix to obtain white emission is the optimal strategy for designing lighting materials. Thus, Sc‐based double perovskite Cs2AgScCl6:xBi with adjustable free exciton and self‐trapped exciton luminescence is synthesized by the vacuum evaporation assisted synthetic method. This perovskite can be used as white phosphor to assemble a high‐quality white lighting device. Density functional theory calculations have revealed that the introduction of Bi optimizes the electron transfer and suppresses the defects in Cs2AgScCl6, which leads to excellent luminescent performance in a broad wavelength range. This work provides a new concept and strategy for the design and preparation of rare‐earth optical perovskites in the future.
Direct Light Orbital Angular Momentum Detection in Mid‐Infrared Based on the Type‐II Weyl Semimetal TaIrTe4
Authors: Lai Jiawei , Ma Junchao , Fan Zipu , Song Xiaoming , Yu Peng , Liu Zheng , Zhang Pei , Shi Yi , Cheng Jinluo , Sun Dong
Published: May 2022

The direct photocurrent detection capability of light orbital angular momentum (OAM) has recently been realized with topological Weyl semimetals, but it is limited to the near‐infrared wavelength range. The extension of the direct OAM detection capability to the mid‐infrared band, which is a wave band that plays an important role in a vast range of applications, has not yet been realized. This is because the photocurrent responses of most photodetectors are neither sensitive to the phase information nor efficient in the mid‐infrared region. In this study, a photodetector based on the type‐II Weyl semimetal tantalum iridium telluride (TaIrTe4) is designed with peculiar electrode geometries to directly detect the topological charge of the OAM using the orbital photogalvanic effect (OPGE). The results indicate that the helical phase gradient of light can be distinguished by a current winding around the optical beam axis, with a magnitude proportional to its quantized OAM mode number. The topologically enhanced responses in the mid‐infrared region of TaIrTe4 further help overcome the low responsivity issues and finally render direct OAM detection capability. This study enables on‐chip‐integrated OAM detection, and thus OAM‐sensitive focal plane arrays in the mid‐infrared region.
Self‐Lubricative Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Coating with Anti‐Icing and Anti‐Waxing Performances by Grafting Liquid‐Like Polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Hao Xiaoqing , Sun Zhengrong , Wu Shuwang , Wang Ta‐Wei , Liu Yubo , Wu Yang , He Ximin , Liu Qinze , Zhou Feng
Published: May 2022

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is one of the most popular materials to protect infrastructures from the complicated environment due to its chemical stability, nontoxicity, low cost, high durability, and chain flexibility. Herein, a series of organic–inorganic hybrid coatings are prepared by simply grafting loop‐like PDMS on a solid surface. Owning to the low surface energy and high mobility of PDMS chains, the special characteristics, including liquid repellency, anti‐fouling, self‐lubrication, anti‐ and delay‐ice, anti‐paraffin, etc., are presented. To confirm the liquid‐like slippery nature of PDMS surface, the controlled de‐icing and de‐waxing tests on rigid chain surfaces are conducted. The liquid‐like nature of PDMS allows ice or paraffin to have a low adhesion in a slip state, but a fractured state on alkylated and perfluorinated surface with a high adhesion strength. In addition, the flexible PDMS chains grafted on the inorganic silica layer by stable covalent bond endow the surface with excellent durability, including maintaining low ice adhesion during 50 icing‐deicing cycles, resistance to UV irradiation, washing or soaking in organic solvent, etc. This work provides a simple approach for constructing self‐lubricative low surface energy coating to realize de‐ice and de‐wax easily, which may have a broad prospect of application in equipment protection.
Hybrid Biomaterial Initiates Refractory Wound Healing via Inducing Transiently Heightened Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Liu Xuemei , Dou Geng , Li Zihan , Wang Xiangdong , Jin Ronghua , Liu Yao , Kuang Huijuan , Huang Xiaoyao , Yang Xiaoxue , Yang Xiaoshan , Liu Siying , Wu Meiling , Guo Hao , Ding Feng , Xu Haokun , Liu Shiyu , Jin Yan , Xuan Kun
Published: May 2022

Inflammation plays a crucial role in triggering regeneration, while inadequate or chronic inflammation hinders the regenerative process, resulting in refractory wounds. Inspired by the ideal regeneration mode in lower vertebrates and the human oral mucosa, realigning dysregulated inflammation to a heightened and acute response provides a promising option for refractory wound therapy. Neutrophils play important roles in inflammation initiation and resolution. Here, a hybrid biomaterial is used to stimulate transiently heightened inflammatory responses by precise tempospatial regulation of neutrophil recruitment and apoptosis. The hybrid biomaterial (Gel@fMLP/SiO2‐FasL) is constructed by loading of formyl‐met‐leu‐phe (fMLP) and FasL‐conjugated silica nanoparticles (SiO2‐FasL) into a pH‐responsive hydrogel matrix. This composition enables burst release of fMLP to rapidly recruit neutrophils for heightened inflammation initiation. After neutrophils act to produce acids, the pH‐responsive hydrogel degrades to expose SiO2‐FasL, which induces activated neutrophils apoptosis via FasL‐Fas signaling triggering timely inflammation resolution. Apoptotic neutrophils are subsequently cleared by macrophages, and this efferocytosis activates key signalings to promote macrophage anti‐inflammatory phenotypic transformation to drive regeneration. Ultimately, Gel@fMLP/SiO2‐FasL successfully promotes tissue regeneration by manipulating inflammation in critical‐sized calvarial bone defects and diabetic cutaneous wound models. This work provides a new strategy for refractory wound therapy via inducing transiently heightened inflammatory responses.
Peptide Aggregation Induced Immunogenic Rupture (PAIIR)
Authors: Gunay Gokhan , Hamsici Seren , Lang Gillian A. , Lang Mark L. , Kovats Susan , Acar Handan
Published: May 2022

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) arises when cells are under stress, and their membranes are damaged. They release damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that stimulate and drive the type and magnitude of the immune response. In the presence of an antigen, DAMPs ride the longevity and efficacy of antigen‐specific immunity. Yet, no tool can induce the controlled ICD with predictable results. A peptide‐based tool, [II], is designed that aggregates in the cell and causes cell membrane damage, generates ICD and DAMPs release on various cell types, and hence can act as an adjuvant. An influenza vaccine is prepared by combining [II] with influenza hemagglutinin (HA) subunit antigens. The results show that [II] induced significantly higher HA‐specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2a antibodies than HA‐only immunized mice, while the peptide itself did not elicit antibodies. This paper demonstrates the first peptide‐aggregation induced immunogenic rupture (PAIIR) approach as a vaccine adjuvant. PAIIR is a promising adjuvant with a high potential to promote universal protection upon influenza HA vaccination.
Surface‐Assisted Synthesis of N‐Containing π‐Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Sánchez‐Grande Ana , Urgel José I. , García‐Benito Inés , Santos José , Biswas Kalyan , Lauwaet Koen , Gallego José M. , Rosen Johanna , Miranda Rodolfo , Björk Jonas , Martín Nazario , Écija David
Published: May 2022

On‐surface synthesis has recently emerged as a powerful strategy to design conjugated polymers previously precluded in conventional solution chemistry. Here, an N‐containing pentacene‐based precursor (tetraazapentacene) is ex‐professo synthesized endowed with terminal dibromomethylene (:CBr2) groups to steer homocoupling via dehalogenation on metallic supports. Combined scanning probe microscopy investigations complemented by theoretical calculations reveal how the substrate selection drives different reaction mechanisms. On Ag(111) the dissociation of bromine atoms at room temperature triggers the homocoupling of tetraazapentacene units together with the binding of silver adatoms to the nitrogen atoms of the monomers giving rise to a N‐containing conjugated coordination polymer (P1). Subsequently, P1 undergoes ladderization at 200 °C, affording a pyrrolopyrrole‐bridged conjugated polymer (P2). On Au(111) the formation of the intermediate polymer P1 is not observed and, instead, after annealing at 100 °C, the conjugated ladder polymer P2 is obtained, revealing the crucial role of metal adatoms on Ag(111) as compared to Au(111). Finally, on Ag(100) the loss of :CBr2 groups affords the formation of tetraazapentacene monomers, which coexist with polymer P1. Our results contribute to introduce protocols for the synthesis of N‐containing conjugated polymers, illustrating the selective role of the metallic support in the underlying reaction mechanisms.
Grain Boundary‐Derived Cu+/Cu0 Interfaces in CuO Nanosheets for Low Overpotential Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Ethylene
Authors: Zhang Jianfang , Wang Yan , Li Zhengyuan , Xia Shuai , Cai Rui , Ma Lu , Zhang Tianyu , Ackley Josh , Yang Shize , Wu Yucheng , Wu Jingjie
Published: May 2022

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction can be used to produce value‐added hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals by coupling with clean electrical energy. However, highly active, selective, and energy‐efficient CO2 conversion to multicarbon hydrocarbons, such as C2H4, remains challenging because of the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, an ultrasonication‐assisted electrodeposition strategy to synthesize CuO nanosheets for low‐overpotential CO2 electroreduction to C2H4 is reported. A high C2H4 Faradaic efficiency of 62.5% is achieved over the CuO nanosheets at a small potential of −0.52 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode, corresponding to a record high half‐cell cathodic energy efficiency of 41%. The selectivity toward C2H4 is maintained for over 60 h of continuous operation. The CuO nanosheets are prone to in situ restructuring during CO2 reduction, forming abundant grain boundaries (GBs). Stable Cu+/Cu0 interfaces are derived from the low‐coordinated Cu atoms in the reconstructed GB regions and act as highly active sites for CO2 reduction at low overpotentials. In situ Raman spectroscopic analysis and density functional theory computation reveal that the Cu+/Cu0 interfaces offer high *CO surface coverage and lower the activation energy barrier for *CO dimerization, which, in synergy, facilitates CO2 reduction to C2H4 at low overpotentials.
A Trifunctional Ni–P/Fe–P Collaborated Electrocatalyst Enables Self‐Powered Energy Systems
Authors: Yang Rui , Zheng Xiaozhong , Qin Minkai , Lin Binbin , Shi Xiaoyun , Wang Yong
Published: May 2022

Recently, extensive research efforts have been devoted to drive electrocatalytic water‐splitting for hydrogen generation by electricity or solar cells. However, electricity from power grid and the intermittent property of sunlight inevitably brings about environmental pollution and energy loss. Thus, a novelty energy system for simultaneous generating H2 from solar energy and overcoming the intermittence of sunlight is highly desirable. Herein, a self‐powered energy system with solar energy as the sole input energy is successfully assembled by integrated Zn–air batteries with stable output voltage, solar cells, and water splitting electrolyzer to efficient H2 production. Specially, the Zn–air batteries are charged by the solar cell to store intermitted solar energy as electricity during light reaction. Under unassisted light reaction, the batteries could release electric energy to drive H2 production. Therefore, the aim for simultaneous generating H2 and eliminating the restrictions of intermittent sunlight are realized. The solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency and solar‐to‐water splitting device efficiency of the self‐powered energy system are up to 4.6% and 5.9%, respectively. This work provides the novel design systems for H2 production and the usage of renewable energy.
Exceptional Cycling Performance Enabled by Local Structural Rearrangements in Disordered Rocksalt Cathodes
Authors: Ahn Juhyeon , Ha Yang , Satish Rohit , Giovine Raynald , Li Linze , Liu Jue , Wang Chongmin , Clement Raphaele J. , Kostecki Robert , Yang Wanli , Chen Guoying
Published: May 2022

The capacity of lithium transition‐metal (TM) oxide cathodes is directly linked to the magnitude and accessibility of the redox reservoir associated with TM cations and/or oxygen anions, which traditionally decreases with cycling as a result of chemical, structural, or mechanical fatigue. Here, it is shown that a capacity increase over 125% can be achieved upon cycling of high‐energy Mn‐ and F‐rich cation‐disordered rocksalt oxyfluoride cathodes. This study reveals that in Li1.2Mn0.7Nb0.1O1.8F0.2, repeated Li extraction/reinsertion utilizing Mn3+/Mn4+ redox along with some degree of O‐redox participation leads to local structural rearrangements and formation of domains with off‐stoichiometry spinel‐like features. The effective integration of these local “structure‐domains” within the cubic disordered rocksalt framework promotes better Li diffusion and improves material utilization, consequently increased capacity upon cycling. This study provides important new insights into materials design strategies to further exploit the rich compositional and structural space of Mn chemistry for developing sustainable, high‐energy cathode materials.
Evaluation of natural mortality of an unfished gastropod (Buccinum undatum) population using statolith age‐frequency data in the southern Mid‐Atlantic Bight
Authors: Borsetti Sarah , Wiedenmann John , Munroe Daphne M.
Published: May 2022

Natural mortality estimates of harvested stocks are key parameters used in stock assessments to aid in understanding the dynamics of populations, but these estimates are difficult to obtain and have a high degree of uncertainty. Data from unfished populations, which is often rare, provide a unique and valuable opportunity to estimate natural mortality. This study provides estimates of natural mortality using multiple methods from an unfished whelk (Buccinum undatum) population using statolith ages which prove to be an accurate method to assess age of gastropods. Using statolith age‐frequency data, natural mortality for this unexploited Mid‐Atlantic Bight whelk population was estimated to be 0.45–0.60 year−1. Due to the unexploited state of this population, the mortality estimate in this study can be assumed to be a true reflection of natural mortality and thus compared with mortality estimates for populations under varying degrees of exploitation to understand how exploitation affects population dynamics.
Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, L.) larvae meal improves growth performance, feed efficiency and economic returns of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) fry
Authors: Limbu Samwel Mchele , Shoko Amon Paul , Ulotu Eusebia Ernest , Luvanga Siwema Amran , Munyi Fridah Mukiri , John John Obedy , Opiyo Mary Adhiambo
Published: May 2022

Insects have been proposed as potential alternative animal protein sources to replace fishmeal (FM), which is expensive and has limited availability for fish feed formulation. However, studies on the effects of replacing FM with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSF‐L) on growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry, water quality and economic benefits are currently limited. This study determined the effects of replacing 100% FM, 75% FM, 50% FM, 25% FM and 0% FM with cheap BSF‐L meal, hereafter referred to as BSF‐L0, BSF‐L25, BSF‐L50, BSF‐L75 and BSF‐L100 diets, respectively for rearing all‐male Nile tilapia fry produced by YY technology. The study further determined the optimum percentage of BSF‐L meal for maximum growth of Nile tilapia fry. A total of 2400 visually healthy Nile tilapia fry weighing 0.001 g were randomly stocked into 20 plastic tanks (120 fry per tank, four replicates per treatment) and fed the BSF‐L diets for 12 weeks. The BSF‐L75 diet increased significantly specific growth rate, total weight gain, Zihler's index of fry and nitrate in the culture water but reduced feed conversion ratio of diet and total suspended solids in the culture water (p < 0.05). Feeding the Nile tilapia fry with BSF‐L50 diet increased significantly hepatosomatic index (p < 0.05). The diets with BSF‐L75 and BSF‐L100 reduced significantly the incidence cost by 31.97% and 28.77% (p < 0.05), and increased profit index by 3.97 and 3.44%, respectively. The optimum percentage of BSF‐L inclusion required for maximum growth performance of Nile tilapia fry was estimated as 81% to 84% based on polynomial analysis. Taken together, feeding Nile tilapia fry with diets containing 81% to 84% BSF‐L meal improved growth performance. The BSF‐L75 diet enhanced feed efficiency and had no deleterious effect on the liver and intestines. Meanwhile, it improved nitrate concentration for increased natural productivity. Incorporating 75% BSF‐L meal in diets for Nile tilapia fry reduced 30% of feed cost leading to 4% higher economic returns.
Convolutional Echo‐State Network with Random Memristors for Spatiotemporal Signal Classification
Authors: Wang Shaocong , Chen Hegan , Zhang Woyu , Li Yi , Wang Dingchen , Shi Shuhui , Zhao Yaping , Loong Kam Chi , Chen Xi , Dong Yujiao , Zhang Yi , Jiang Yang , Furqan Chaudhry , Chen Jia , Wang Qing , Xu Xiaoxin , Wang Guangyi , Yu Hongyu , Shang Dashan , Wang Zhongrui
Published: May 2022

The unprecedented development of Internet of Things results in the explosion of spatiotemporal signals generated by smart edge devices, leading to a surge of interest in real‐time learning of such data. This imposes a big challenge to conventional digital hardware because of physically separated memory and processing units and the transistor scaling limit. Memristors are deemed a solution for efficient and portable deep learning. However, their ionic resistive switching incurs large programming stochasticity and energy, compromising their advantages in real‐time learning spatiotemporal signals. To address the aforementioned issues, we propose a novel hardware–software codesign. Hardware‐wise, the stochasticity in memristor programming is leveraged to produce random matrices for efficient in‐memory computing. Software‐wise, random convolutional‐pooling architectures are integrated with echo‐state networks that compute with the hardware random matrices and make real‐time learning affordable. The synergy of the hardware and software not only improves the performance over conventional echo‐state networks, that is, 90.94% and 91.67% (compared to baselines 88.33% and 62.50%), but also retains 187.79× and 93.66× improvement of energy efficiency compared to the digital alternatives on the representative Human Activity Recognition Using Smartphones (HAR) and CRICKET datasets, respectively. These advantages make random convolutional echo‐state network (RCESN) a promising solution for the future smart edge hardware.
Pattern Training, Inference, and Regeneration Demonstration Using On‐Chip Trainable Neuromorphic Chips for Spiking Restricted Boltzmann Machine
Authors: Shin Uicheol , Ishii Masatoshi , Okazaki Atsuya , Ito Megumi , Rasch Malte J. , Kim Wanki , Nomura Akiyo , Choi Wonseok , Koh Dooyong , Hosokawa Kohji , BrightSky Matthew , Munetoh Seiji , Kim SangBum
Published: May 2022

A fully silicon‐integrated restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) with an event‐driven contrastive divergence (eCD) training algorithm is implemented using novel stochastic leaky integrate‐and‐fire (LIF) neuron circuits and six‐transistor/2‐PCM‐resistor (6T2R) synaptic unit cells on 90 nm CMOS technology. To elaborate, designed a bidirectional, asynchronous, and parallel pulse‐signaling scheme over an analog‐weighted phase‐change memory (PCM) synapse array to enable spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity (STDP) as a local weight update rule based on eCD is designed. Building upon the initial version of this work, significantly more experimental details are added, such as the on‐chip characterization results of LIF and backward‐LIF (BLIF) and stochasticity of our random walk circuitry. The experimental characterization of these on‐chip stochastic neuron circuits shows a reasonable symmetricity between LIF and BLIF as well as the necessary stochasticity for spiking RBM operation. Fully hardware‐based image classification recorded 93% on‐chip training accuracy from 100 handwritten MNIST digit images. In addition, we experimentally demonstrated the generative characteristics of the RBM by reconstructing partial patterns on hardware. As each synapse and neuron execute its computations in an asynchronous and fully parallel fashion, the chip can perform data‐intensive machine learning (ML) tasks in a power‐efficient manner and take advantage of the sparseness of spiking.
Physical Compact Model for Three‐Terminal SONOS Synaptic Circuit Element
Authors: Yi Su-in , Talin A. Alec , Marinella Matthew J. , Williams R. Stanley
Published: May 2022

A well‐posed physics‐based compact model for a three‐terminal silicon–oxide–nitride–oxide–silicon (SONOS) synaptic circuit element is presented for use by neuromorphic circuit/system engineers. Based on technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulations of a SONOS device, the model contains a nonvolatile memristor with the state variableQMrepresenting the memristor charge under the gate of the three‐terminal element. By incorporating the exponential dependence of the memristance onQMand the applied biasVfor the gate, the compact model agrees quantitatively with the results from TCAD simulations as well as experimental measurements for the drain current. The compact model is implemented through VerilogA in the circuit simulation package Cadence Spectre and reproduces the experimental training behavior for the source–drain conductance of a SONOS device after applying writing pulses ranging from −12 V to +11 V, with an accuracy higher than 90%.
Smart connected worker edge platform for smart manufacturing: Part 1—Architecture and platform design
Authors: Kim Yoon G. , Donovan Richard P. , Ren Yutian , Bian Shijie , Wu Tongzi , Purawat Shweta , Manzo Anthony J. , Altintas Ilkay , Li Bingbing , Li Guann‐Pyng
Published: May 2022

The challenge of sustainably producing goods and services for healthy living on a healthy planet requires simultaneous consideration of economic, societal, and environmental dimensions in manufacturing. Enabling technology for data driven manufacturing paradigms like Smart Manufacturing (a.k.a. Industry 4.0) serve as the technological backbone from which sustainable approaches to manufacturing can be implemented. Unfortunately, these technologies are typically associated with broader and deeper factory automation that is often too expensive and complex for the small and medium sized manufacturers (SMMs) that comprise the majority of manufacturing business in the USA and for whom their most valuable asset are the people whose jobs automation while replace. This paper describes an edge intelligent platform to integrate internet‐of‐things technologies with computing hardware, software, computational workflows for machine learning, and data ingestion, enabling SMMs to transition into smart manufacturing paradigms by leveraging the intelligence of their people. The platform leverages consumer grade electronics and sensors (affordable and portable), customized software with open source software packages (accessible), and existing communication network infrastructures (scalable). The software systems are implemented via Kubernetes orchestration of Docker containerization to ensure scalability and programmability. The platform is adaptive via computational workflow engines that produce information from data by processing with low‐cost edge computing devices while efficiently accessing resources of cloud servers as needed. The proposed edge platform connects workers to technological resources that provide computational intelligence (i.e., silicon‐based sensing and computation for data collection and contextualization) to enable decision making at the edge of advanced manufacturing.
Polygenic Resilience Modulates the Penetrance of Parkinson Disease Genetic Risk Factors
Authors: Liu Hui , Dehestani Mohammad , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Makarious Mary B. , Leonard Hampton , Kim Jonggeol J. , Schulte Claudia , Noyce Alastair , Jacobs Benjamin M. , Foote Isabelle , Sharma Manu ,   International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium; Comprehensive Unbiased Risk Factor Assessment for Genetics and Environment in Parkinson's Disease Consortium, Nalls Mike , Singleton Andrew , Gasser Thomas , Bandres‐Ciga Sara
Published: May 2022

Objective

The aim of the current study is to understand why some individuals avoid developing Parkinson disease (PD) despite being at relatively high genetic risk, using the largest datasets of individual‐level genetic data available.

Methods

We calculated polygenic risk score to identify controls and matched PD cases with the highest burden of genetic risk for PD in the discovery cohort (International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium, 7,204 PD cases and 9,412 controls) and validation cohorts (Comprehensive Unbiased Risk Factor Assessment for Genetics and Environment in Parkinson's Disease, 8,968 cases and 7,598 controls; UK Biobank, 2,639 PD cases and 14,301 controls; Accelerating Medicines Partnership–Parkinson's Disease Initiative, 2,248 cases and 2,817 controls). A genome‐wide association study meta‐analysis was performed on these individuals to understand genetic variation associated with resistance to disease. We further constructed a polygenic resilience score, and performed multimarker analysis of genomic annotation (MAGMA) gene‐based analyses and functional enrichment analyses.

Results

A higher polygenic resilience score was associated with a lower risk for PD (β = −0.054, standard error [SE] = 0.022, p = 0.013). Although no single locus reached genome‐wide significance, MAGMA gene‐based analyses nominated TBCA as a putative gene. Furthermore, we estimated the narrow‐sense heritability associated with resilience to PD (h2 = 0.081, SE = 0.035, p = 0.0003). Subsequent functional enrichment analysis highlighted histone methylation as a potential pathway harboring resilience alleles that could mitigate the effects of PD risk loci.

Interpretation

The present study represents a novel and comprehensive assessment of heritable genetic variation contributing to PD resistance. We show that a genetic resilience score can modify the penetrance of PD genetic risk factors and therefore protect individuals carrying a high‐risk genetic burden from developing PD. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:270–278
Effect of Differential Backbone Di‐substitution of Gamma Amino Acid Residues on the Conformation and Assembly of their Fmoc Derivatives in Solid and Solution States
Authors: Debnath Swapna , Ghosh Suvankar , Kumar Dinesh , Vasudev Prema G. , Satpati Priyadarshi , Chatterjee Sunanda
Published: May 2022

We studied the effect of variable backbone dimethyl‐substitution of γ amino acid residues (γ2,2, γ3,3 and γ4,4) on the conformation and assembly, in crystals and solution of their Fmoc derivatives. The crystal structure of γ2,2 and γ4,4 derivatives showed distinct conformations (open/close for γ2,2/γ4,4) that differed in torsion angles, hydrogen‐bonding and most importantly the π‐π Fmoc‐stacking interactions (relatively favourable for γ4,4‐close). Fmoc derivatives existed in an equilibrium between major‐monomeric (low energy, non‐hydrogen bonded) and minor‐dimeric (high energy, hydrogen bonded) populations in solution. The rate of major/minor population exchange was dependent on the position of substitution, highest being for γ4,4 derivative. In solution, assembly of Fmoc derivatives was solvent dependent, but it was independent of the position of geminal substitution. Crystallization was primarily governed by the stabilization of high‐energy dimer by favourable π‐π stacking involving Fmoc moieties. High free‐energy of the dimers (γ2,2‐close, γ3,3‐open/close) offset favourable stacking interactions and hindered crystallization.
Stability analysis of Markovian jump systems with delayed impulses
Authors: Wang Guoliang , Ren Yunshuai
Published: May 2022

This paper addresses stability for Markovian jump systems with delayed impulses. The delayed impulse has a largely negative effect on the system stability and is not easy to be studied. The main reason is that so many factors such as Markovian switching, impulse, and time‐varying delay are simultaneously contained and make its analysis complicated and difficult. In order to analyze these factors clearly, some novel enlarging techniques are presented and used to establish linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions ultimately. Based on the given methods, more situations such as impulsive instant sequence satisfying a renewal process and Poisson process, respectively, are further studied and better than ones without considering such properties. Two numerical examples are used to show the effectiveness and superiority of the methods.
Beneficial effect of steam on synthesis of hierarchically porous zeolite‐templated carbons
Authors: Han Jinju , Kim Kyoungsoo
Published: May 2022

Hierarchically meso‐/microporous carbons were synthesized using nanocrystalline beta zeolite as a sacrificial template. The zeolite template possessed intercrystalline mesopores in addition to ordered micropores of the nanocrystals. Various amounts of steam were used with a carbon source, such as ethylene, propylene or acetonitrile, to generate a carbon structure inside the template. The synthesis results showed that adding a suitable amount of steam gave rise to faithful replication of the ordered microporous structure, while the intercrystalline mesopores were retained. That is, the carbon structure was formed selectively inside nanocrystalline zeolites rather than at the exterior by the steam addition. Microscopic observation and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that steam oxidized the carbon species deposited at the external surface of zeolite nanocrystals, and hence inhibited the undesirable carbon deposition. Furthermore, such a beneficial effect of steam could be applied for the carbon synthesis using other type zeolite templates.
Proteomics analyses of Xiaopi granules in N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine–induced gastric epithelial dysplasia rat model using LC–MS
Authors: Peng Jisheng , Chen Zehui , Liang Huazheng , Yang Jinxiang
Published: May 2022

Xiaopi granules have been shown to ameliorate gastric epithelial dysplasia in patients. However, the therapeutic mechanism is unclear. Herein, the proteomics method was applied to identify the differentially expressed proteins and related pathways. Sixty male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (C group, n = 10), model (M group), Xiaopi granules (X group), and vitacoenzyme (V group). The rat gastric epithelial dysplasia model was established by intragastrically administering N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine and ranitidine and by orally administering 0.05% ammonia solution. After 12 weeks, the stomach tissue was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and proteomics analyses. Western‐blot analysis was applied to further validate the proteomics results. Compared to the M group, levels of 326 and 350 proteins were altered significantly in the X and V groups (1.5‐fold, p < 0.05), which were significantly enriched in digestion, metabolism, coagulation, and cell apoptosis. CELA2A, GHRL, NDUFB9, and PGC were significantly upregulated (p < 0.0001), whereas CLCA1, PLG, and DAC2 were downregulated (p < 0.001 or 0.0001) in the M group vs. the C group. The change in these proteins could be reversed after the treatment of Xiaopi granules or vitacoenzyme tablets. Xiaopi granules ameliorated gastric epithelial dysplasia by intervening in digestion, metabolism, blood coagulation, cell apoptosis, and other related pathways.
Behavioral features in child and adolescent huntingtin gene‐mutation carriers
Authors: Reasoner Erin E. , van der Plas Ellen , Al‐Kaylani Hend M. , Langbehn Douglas R. , Conrad Amy L. , Schultz Jordan L. , Epping Eric A. , Magnotta Vincent A. , Nopoulos Peggy C.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

We compared neuropsychiatric symptoms between child and adolescent huntingtin gene‐mutation carriers and noncarriers. Given previous evidence of atypical striatal development in carriers, we also assessed the relationship between neuropsychiatric traits and striatal development.

Methods

Participants between 6 and 18 years old were recruited from families affected by Huntington's disease and tested for the huntingtin gene expansion. Neuropsychiatric traits were assessed using the Pediatric Behavior Scale and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Striatal volumes were extracted from 3T neuro‐anatomical images. Multivariable linear regression models were conducted to evaluate the impact of group (i.e., gene nonexpanded [GNE] or gene expanded [GE]), age, and trajectory of striatal growth on neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Results

There were no group differences in any behavioral measure with the exception of depression/anxiety score, which was higher in the GNE group compared to the GE group (estimate = 4.58, t(129) = 2.52, FDR = 0.051). The growth trajectory of striatal volume predicted depression scores (estimate = 0.429, 95% CI 0.15:0.71, p = .0029), where a negative slope of striatal volume over time was associated with lower depression/anxiety.

Conclusions

The current findings show that GE children may have lower depression/anxiety compared to their peers. Previously, we observed a unique pattern of early striatal hypertrophy and continued decrement in volume over time among GE children and adolescents. In contrast, GNE individuals largely show striatal volume growth. These findings suggest that the lower scores of depression and anxiety seen in GE children and adolescents may be associated with differential growth of the striatum.
Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: An Australian multi‐centre cohort study
Authors: Strach Madeleine C. , Grimison Peter S. , Hong Angela , Boyle Richard , Stalley Paul , Karim Rooshdiya , Connolly Elizabeth A. , Bae Susie , Desai Jayesh , Crowe Philip , Singhal Nimit , Bhadri Vivek A.
Published: May 2022

Background

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is an ultra‐rare sarcoma that follows a more aggressive course than conventional chondrosarcoma. This study evaluates prognostic factors, treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation), and outcomes in an Australian setting.

Methods

We collected demographics, clinicopathological variables, treatment characteristics, and survival status from patients with MCS registered on the national ACCORD sarcoma database. Outcomes include overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS).

Results

We identified 22 patients with MCS between 2001–2022. Median age was 28 (range 10–59) years, 19 (86%) had localised disease at diagnosis of whom 16 had surgery (84%), 11 received radiation (58%), and 10 chemotherapy (53%). Ten (52%) developed recurrence and/or metastases on follow‐up and three patients with initial metastatic disease received surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. At a median follow‐up of 50.9  (range 0.4–210) months nine patients had died. The median OS was 104.1 months (95% CI 25.8–182.3). There was improved OS for patients with localised disease who had surgical resection of the primary (p = 0.003) and those with ECOG 0–1 compared to 2–3 (p = 0.023) on univariate analysis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates contemporary Australian treatment patterns of MCS. The role of chemotherapy for localised disease remains uncertain. Understanding treatment patterns and outcomes help support treatment decisions and design of trials for novel therapeutic strategies.
The same only different? How a pandemic shapes consumer organic food purchasing
Authors: Sohn Stefanie , Seegebarth Barbara , Woisetschläger David M.
Published: May 2022

Organic food consumption is seen as a key strategy to alleviate both environmental and health problems. Although consumer purchasing of organic food has regularly been studied, major gaps exist in the literature. Knowledge is missing on how contextual factors, such as pandemics (e.g., COVID‐19 pandemic), affect individuals' purchasing of organic food. Therefore, the aim of this research is to examine the effect of a pandemic on organic food purchasing. To provide evidence on this effect, data collected at two points in time (before the COVID‐19 pandemic and during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic) from 429 German consumers was analyzed with structural equation modeling. The results showed that pandemics positively influence both consumer quality consciousness (β = .116) and health consciousness (β = .106) and thereby enhance organic food purchasing. However, pandemics were not found to shape a consumers' environmental consciousness (β = −.005). Additional analyses showed that the effects of a pandemic are not equal for all consumer segments and that consumers' income occupies—different than consumers' age, gender, and education—a decisive role. For instance, pandemics promote consumers' health consciousness only for consumers of lower than of higher income. These findings yield the diverse implications for practitioners and public policy.
Endomyocardial fibrosis in a non‐tropical patient who presented with chest pain mimicking ACS and left ventricular thrombus, case report
Authors: Matarneh Ahmad S. , Hailan Yousef M. Ali , Abdul Karim Sabir , Al Kuwari Maryam A. , Dabdoob Wafer A.
Published: May 2022

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a disease known to cause restrictive cardiomyopathy. It shows a high prevalence in tropical countries. Several triggering factors have been proposed. However, the pathogenesis is still a mystery. The disease is progressive, and the outcome is generally unfavorable. The most common symptom is heart failure. However, an atypical presentation may be expected. Our case presented with symptoms suggestive of ischemia and missed diagnosis initially as ischemic cardiomyopathy. This report aims to increase the attention and awareness of this disease. We present a case of a 53‐year‐old man referred to the emergency department for sudden chest pain, left‐sided and non‐radiating lasted for several minutes, awoke him from sleep with no associated symptoms. He is known to have Diabetes type‐2 and hypertension on oral therapy. Cardiac markers were within the normal limit. The patient was discharged home with an appointment at the cardiology outpatient clinic. Echocardiography was done and revealed mildly reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function, Ejection Fraction of 46%, asymmetric LV hypertrophy affecting the apical segments with aneurysm, and calcified apical thrombus. CT coronary angiography was done with non‐significant Left Anterior Descending artery lesions and left ventricular hypertrophy affecting the apex with calcified apical thrombus. Further investigation by cardiac MRI revealed apical thrombus and late apical uptake suggesting Endomyocardial Fibrosis of possible eosinophilic etiology. The patient continued to have attacks of similar chest pain, for which stress cardiac MRI was done and was negative for ischemia. Another diagnostic workup was done, including hematological and serological tests such as Antinuclear Antibodies and Schistosoma Antibodies. The patient was kept on valsartan and Bisoprolol with oral anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist) and Rosuvastatin. EMF may have a heterogeneous presentation and should be considered in a patient with calcific apical thrombus without previous history of cardiac problem, even in the non‐tropical region.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis in a patient with a left ventricle assist device: A case report and brief review of the literature (with video)
Authors: Hanaki Takehiko , Sunaguchi Teppei , Goto Keisuke , Morimoto Masaki , Murakami Yuki , Tokuyasu Naruo , Takano Shuichi , Sakamoto Teruhisa , Hasegawa Toshimichi , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2022

For acute cholecystitis in patients with left ventricular assist devices, the use of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage to calm inflammation before planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be helpful in safely adjusting anticoagulation and in performing safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as demonstrated in this case.
A new variant of MYCN gene as a cause of Feingold syndrome
Authors: Zeka Naim , Bejiqi Ramush , Gerguri Abdurrahim , Zogaj Leonore , Jashari Haki
Published: May 2022

Feingold syndrome 1 (FS1) is a rare disorder that is inherited in autosomal dominant manner with full penetrance but with variable expressivity. The most common phenotypical features described are finger and toe anomalies, microcephaly, short stature, and intestinal atresia. Dysmorphic features, intellectual disability and other organ anomalies are less frequently described. Here, we present a 7‐year‐old boy with severe intellectual disability who is diagnosed with FS1 syndrome caused by a new heterozygous variant of MYCN gene
Interspecific variation in sex‐specific gustatory organs in Drosophila
Authors: Kopp Artyom , Barmina Olga
Published: May 2022

Drosophila males use leg gustatory bristles to discriminate between male and female cuticular pheromones as an important part of courtship behavior. In Drosophila melanogaster, several male‐specific gustatory bristles are present on the anterior surface of the first tarsal segment of the prothoracic leg, in addition to a larger set of gustatory bristles found in both sexes. These bristles are thought to be specialized for pheromone detection. Here, we report the number and location of sex‐specific gustatory bristles in 27 other Drosophila species. Although some species have a pattern similar to D. melanogaster, others lack anterior male‐specific bristles but have many dorsal male‐specific gustatory bristles instead. Some species have both anterior and dorsal male‐specific bristles, while others lack sexual dimorphism entirely. In several distantly related species, the number of gustatory bristles is much greater in males than in females due to a male‐specific transformation of ancestrally mechanosensory bristles to a chemosensory identity. This variation in the extent and pattern of sexual dimorphism may affect the formation and function of neuronal circuits that control Drosophila courtship and contribute to the evolution of mating behavior.
Liquid‐Phase Catalytic Exchange of Hydrogen Isotopes over Ion Sputtering Platinum on Superhydrophobic Coatings
Authors: Liu Yan , Xin Feng , Xu Yongsheng , Ding Zhihao , Li Bingbing
Published: May 2022

Liquid‐phase catalytic exchange (LPCE) of hydrogen isotopes has extensive application in upgrading of recycled water and wastewater treatment. This low‐temperature catalytic exchange requires hydrophobic catalysts for keeping high exchange efficiency and catalytic stability. To eliminate diffusional influences in conventional porous catalysts, we designed a flat catalyst coating with fully exposed platinum (Pt) active sites by two steps. The hydrophobic coating was firstly established by superhydrophobic silica nanospheres (SSNs) and then Pt nanoparticles were dispersed on the surface of coating by ion sputtering. By adjusting the time of ion sputtering, the catalytic exchange efficiency of optimized catalyst coating (50‐Pt/SSNs/PDMS) improved up to 86% at 60 °C and maintained stability for at least 5 h, behaving high catalytic exchange efficiency and good stability. Besides, the turnover frequency of the 50‐Pt/SSNs/PDMS was 1.7 times than that of “PDMS+Pt/SSNs” prepared by “glue+power” method. The “step by step” strategy can effectively improve the utilization of Pt and provide a new idea for the preparation of Pt‐based hydrophobic catalysts.
Revisiting the association between environmental performance and financial performance: Does the level of environmental orientation matter?
Authors: Gull Ammar Ali , Saeed Asif , Suleman Muhammad Tahir , Mushtaq Rizwan
Published: May 2022

In this study, we re‐examine the nexus of environmental performance and financial performance by benchmarking firms relative to their industry peers based on environmental performance in a given year to identify best‐in‐class and worst‐in‐class firms. After correcting for distributional issues while using environmental performance scores (i.e., clustering scores around the median and material differences within industries and time) and financial performance ratios (i.e., the potential impact of extreme values), we find that best‐in‐class firms exhibit higher financial performance than their industry peers (i.e., worst‐in‐class and average firms). Our findings are robust to alternative measures of environmental performance (i.e., subdimensions of environmental performance) and financial performance. Finally, our results are robust to different identification strategies. Our findings present important and timely policy implications for firms, ESG fund managers and investors.