bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cholesterol Metabolic Regulated Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework (HOF)‐Based Biotuner for Antibody Non‐Dependent Immunotherapy Tailored for Glioblastoma
Authors: Yin Na , Wang Yinghui , Liu Yang , Niu Rui , Zhang Shuai , Cao Yue , Lv Zhijia , Song Shuyan , Liu Xiaogang , Zhang Hongjie
Published: July 2023

The metabolic reprogramming of glioblastoma (GBM) poses a tremendous obstacle to effective immunotherapy due to its impact on the immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this work, a hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) specifically designed for GBM immunotherapy is developed, taking advantage of the relatively isolated cholesterol metabolism microenvironment in the central nervous system (CNS). The HOF‐based biotuner regulates extra/intracellular cholesterol metabolism, effectively blocking the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐1/PD‐L1) pathway and reducing 2B4 expression. This metabolically disrupts the immunosuppressive microenvironment of GBM and rejuvenates CD8+ T cells. Moreover, cholesterol metabolism regulation offers additional benefits in treating GBM invasion. Furthermore, tumor microenvironment (TME)‐initiated chemiexcited photodynamic therapy (PDT) is enhanced during the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, and the biotuner can effectively trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) and increase the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in GBM. By reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment and bolstering chemiexcited‐PDT, this approach invigorates efficient antibody non‐dependent immunotherapy for GBM. This study provides a model for enhancing immunotherapy through cholesterol metabolism regulation and explores the feasibility of a “metabolic checkpoint” strategy in GBM treatment.
Fused‐Ring Electron‐Acceptor Single Crystals with Chiral 2D Supramolecular Organization for Anisotropic Chiral Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Liu Lixuan , Yang Yang , Meskers Stefan C. J. , Wang Qingkai , Zhang Liting , Yang Chen , Zhang Jianqi , Zhu Lingyun , Zhang Yajie , Wei Zhixiang
Published: July 2023

Supramolecular chiral organization gives π‐conjugated molecules access to fascinating specific interactions with circularly polarized light (CPL). Such a feature enables the fabrication of high‐performance chiral organic electronic devices that detect or emit CPL directly. Herein, it is shown that chiral fused‐ring electron‐acceptor BTP‐4F single‐crystal‐based phototransistors demonstrate distinguished CPL discrimination capability with current dissymmetry factor exceeding 1.4, one of the highest values among state‐of‐the‐art direct CPL detectors. Theoretical calculations prove that the chirality at the supramolecular level in these enantiomeric single crystals originates from chiral exciton coupling of a unique quasi‐2D supramolecular organization consisting of interlaced molecules with opposite helical conformation. Impressively, such supramolecular organization produces a higher dissymmetry factor along the preferred growth direction of the chiral single crystals in comparison to that of the short axis direction. Furthermore, the amplified, inverted, and also anisotropic current dissymmetry compared to optical dissymmetry is studied by finite element simulations. Therefore, a unique chiral supramolecular organization that is responsible for the excellent chiroptical response and anisotropic electronic properties is developed, which not only enables the construction of high‐performance CPL detection devices but also allows a better understanding of the structure–property relationships in chiral organic optoelectronics.
Reprogrammable Holograms from Maskless Surface Photomorphing
Authors: Reda Francesco , Salvatore Marcella , Astarita Marco , Borbone Fabio , Oscurato Stefano L.
Published: July 2023

Holographic technologies have been envisioned as potentially impacting many areas of everyday life, including science, entertainment, and healthcare, but their adoption is still at an early stage. Recent achievements in flat optics research gave an unprecedented strength to this field, proposing holographic devices as light‐modulating structured surfaces at micro and nanoscale. However, these components are typically static, requiring demanding, burdensome, and irreversible lithographic processes. Here a maskless lithographic framework is reported which only uses light irradiation to fabricate reprogrammable diffractive holographic projectors directly on the surface of a dielectric photomorphable polymer film. Lithographic and characterization optical schemes are combined to optimize in real‐time the light‐modulating performances of the surface, producing holograms with enhanced efficiency. Reprogrammable holograms are then demonstrated to change shape and position according to dynamical optical remorphing of the surface, realizing a proof‐of‐concept of a pixel‐less morphological projector. The approach opens new routes for holographic image displaying and dynamic optical data encoding and sharing.
Artificial Intelligence‐Powered Acoustic Analysis System for Dysarthria Severity Assessment
Authors: Zhang Zhenglin , Shang Xiaolong , Yang Li-Zhuang , Ai Wenlong , Wang Jiawei , Wang Hongzhi , Wong Stephen T.C. , Wang Xun , Li Hai
Published: July 2023

Dysarthria is common in movement disorders, such as Wilson's disease (WD), Parkinson's disease, or Huntington's disease. Dysarthria severity assessment is often indispensable for the management of these diseases. However, such assessment is usually labor‐intensive, time‐consuming, and expensive. To seek efficient and cost‐effective solutions for dysarthria assessment, an artificial intelligence (AI)‐powered acoustic analysis system is proposed and its performance in a valuable sample of WD, an ideal disease model with mainly mixed dysarthria, is verified. A test‐retest reliability analysis yields excellent reproducibility in the acoustic measures (mean intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.81). Then, a system for dysarthria assessment is trained with WD patients (n = 65) and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 65) using a machine learning approach. The system achieves reasonable performance in evaluating dysarthria severity with either stepwise classification or regression (all areas under the curve >80%; mean absolute error = 6.25, r = 0.79, p < 0.0001). The diadochokinesis and sustained phonation tasks contribute the most to prediction, and the corresponding acoustic features can provide significant and independent contributions. The present study demonstrates the feasibility and good performance of the AI‐powered acoustic analysis framework, offering the potential to facilitate early screening and subsequent management of dysarthria.
Synthesis and characterization of biobased poly(butylene adipate‐co‐furandicarboxylate) with excellent gas barrier properties
Authors: Dong Yunxiao , Yang Yong , Wang Jinggang , Wang Qianfeng , Zhang Xiaoqin , Hu Han , Zhu Jin
Published: July 2023

In this work, we prepared a series of bio‐based poly(butylene adipate‐co‐furandicarboxylate) (PBAF) copolyesters with BF segments ranging from 20 to 80 mol% through a two‐step polycondensation. Then, their thermal, mechanical, gas barrier, and degradable properties were investigated. With the increase of BF content, the glass transition temperatures (Tg) and melting temperatures (Tm) of PBAFs increase constantly. Besides, PBAF copolyesters exhibit excellent mechanical performance with elongation at break in the range of 140% to 870%. The elastic modulus and tensile strength of PBAF60 are 138 and 17 MPa respectively, which are comparable to those of commercial poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT). Moreover, thanks to the structural characteristics of the furan ring, the barrier performances against CO2, O2, and H2O of PBAFs are 4.6–147.5 folds, 4.0–76.0 folds, and 0.8–8.7 folds of PBAT, respectively. Finally, the degradation tests reveal that the weight losses of PBAFs increase with decreasing BF contents. It is worth emphasizing that although the compost degradation rate of PBAF60 is slightly lower than that of PBAT, it is still a prospective alternative to PBAT due to its improved barrier properties. And it provides a possibility for applications in food packaging, mulch films, and structural elements.
The photon‐electrical conversion efficiency of dye‐sensitive solar cells fabricated using a highly conductive silver‐nanoparticle/titania photocathode
Authors: Daniel Likius S. , Kaffer Rocha T. , Kalipi Loini M. , Rahman Ateeq , Kalengay Mbela , Uahengo Veikko
Published: July 2023

The TiO2 thin film, Ag NP and three Ag‐NP/TiO2 composite thin films (COMP‐Agn; n = 20, 50, and 75 Ag mol%) were successfully fabricated on quartz glass. The optical properties of the composite electrodes were investigated, and the results indicate a surface plasmonic resonance peak at 410 nm while the electrical resistivity of the composite thin films improved up to 6.9 × 10−5 Ω cm. The photo‐response threshold of the Ag‐NP/TiO2 composite thin films was enhanced and shifted into the visible and near‐infrared when the chlorophyll dye was adsorbed onto them. The hall effect was performed on the fabricated thin films and the charge carrier concentrate value confirmed that the Ag/TiO2 with Ag concentrate >45% are found to be p‐type. The n‐types were observed till the Ag content in TiO2 was increased up to 45 mol%. COMP‐Ag75 has a charge carrier concentration of 1.3 × 10−19 cm−3 as a p‐type electrode was then employed to construct a p‐DSSC. Such enhancement on photovoltaic activity can be attributed to the generated Z‐scheme system in the anatase/rutile phase‐junction Ag/TiO2 photocathode enhances the separation, diffusion, and transformation of electron/hole pairs inside the structure. This p‐DSSC exhibits a photon‐electrical conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.37%. The PCE recorded is equal to or greater than those of traditional high‐efficiency n‐DSSCs. This allows the creation of a new generation of photocathodic p‐DSSCs with previously unheard‐of unprecedentedly high concentrations of Ag (up to 80 mol%) evenly scattered in a TiO2 matrix, and this efficacy is the highest ever reported for a p‐type working Ag/TiO2/chlorophyll/iodine electrode. This may enable the use of this electrode as a component of photosensitizer tandem devices.
The Role of Interchain Force and/or Chain Entanglement in the Melt Strength and Ductility of PLA‐Based Materials
Authors: Li Deling , Chen Ying , Sun Limei , Zhou Jun , Dong Liming , Ren Jizhen
Published: July 2023

As an eco‐friendly material, PLA was a desirable alternative to polyethylene and polypropylene films due to its biodegradability. The preferable melt strength of PLA‐based materials was a key factor in ensuring its processing using extrusion blow. This paper focuses on the influence of interchain force and/or chain entanglement on the melt strength and ductility of PLA‐based materials in recent years. In addition, the preparation of PLA‐based materials via physical blending or reactive processing was also summarized. The blending of PLA with a flexible heteropolymer, driven by the interchain force and/or chain entanglements, were characterized as a practicable method for toughening PLA‐based materials. Also, the restructuring of PLA chains, by branching based on chain entanglement, was suitable for increasing chain entanglements in PLA matrix, yielding satisfactory melt strength and ductility. This review aims to elucidate the relationship between interchain forces and/or entanglement with the melt strength and ductility of PLA‐based materials. An essential and systematic understanding of the tailoring melt strength and rheological properties of PLA by interchain forces and/or entanglement was apt to improve and perfect the processing technology of the extrusion blow, and consequently improve the tensile strength and toughness of PLA films.
Iterative learning algorithms for boundary tracing of fractional diffusion equations
Authors: Wang Jungang , Wang Qian , Bao Jun , Si Qingyang
Published: July 2023

We study P‐type and PI
‐type iterative learning control (ILC) schemes for boundary tracing problem of nonhomogeneous fractional diffusion equations. Based on Sobolev imbedding theorem, we derive sufficient conditions for the convergence of four ILC schemes in the sense of
‐norm. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate effectiveness of the proposed control methods. The results show that closed‐loop ILC scheme converges faster than open‐loop ILC scheme; moreover, PI
‐type
ILC scheme outperforms P‐type and PI‐type
ILC schemes in terms of the convergence speed.
Thrombolytic and anticoagulant efficiencies of purified fibrinolytic enzyme produced from Cochliobolus hawaiiensis under solid‐state fermentation
Authors: Abu‐Tahon Medhat Ahmed , Abdel‐Majeed Ahmad Mohammad , Ghareib Mohamed , Housseiny Manal Maher , Abdallah Wafaa E.
Published: July 2023

Cochliobolus hawaiiensis Alcorn Assiut University Mycological Centre 8606 was chosen from the screened 20 fungal species as the potent producer of fibrinolytic enzyme on skimmed‐milk agar plates. The greatest enzyme yield was attained when the submerged fermentation (SmF) conditions were optimized, and it was around (39.7 U/mg protein). Moreover, upon optimization of fibrinolytic enzyme production under solid‐state fermentation (SSF), the maximum productivity of fibrinolytic enzyme was greatly increased recorded a bout (405 U/mg protein) on sugarcane bagasse, incubation period of 5 days, moisture level of 100%, initial pH of salt basal medium 7.8, incubation temperature at 35°C, and supplementation of the salt basal medium with corn steep liquor (80％, v/v). The yield of fibrinolytic enzyme by C. hawaiiensis under SSF was higher than that of SmF with about 10.20‐fold. The purification procedures of fibrinolytic enzyme by ammonium sulfate (70%), gel filtration, and ion‐exchange columns chromatography caused a great increase in its specific activity to 2581.6 U/mg protein with an overall yield of 55.89%, 6.37 purification fold and molecular weight of 35 kDa. Maximal activity was recorded at pH 7 and 37°C. Significant pH stability was recorded at pH 6.6–7.2, and thermal stability was recorded at 33–41°C. The enzyme showed the highest affinity toward fibrin, with Vmax of 240 U/mL and an apparent Km value of 47.61 mmol. Mg2+ and Ca2+ moderately induced fibrinolytic activity, whereas Cu2+ and Zn2+ greatly suppressed the enzyme activity. The produced enzyme is categorized as serine protease and non‐metalloprotease. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme showed efficient thrombolytic and antiplatelet aggregation activities by completely prevention and dissolution of the blood clot which confirmed by microscopic examination and amelioration of blood coagulation assays. These findings suggested that the produced fibrinolytic enzyme is a promising agent in management of blood coagulation disorders.
How do friendship artificial intelligence chatbots (FAIC) benefit the continuance using intention and customer engagement?
Authors: Li Baoku , Yao Ruoxi , Nan Yafeng
Published: July 2023

Although there have been many AI chatbots in industry service, social media, and e‐commerce platforms, research on AI chatbots such as Replika, neglected the effects of human‐like traits on users' continuance using intention. This article aims to explore the main effects of human‐like traits (perceived warmth vs. perceived competence) of friendship AI chatbots (FAIC) on continuance using intention and customer engagement, and the moderating effects of the need to belong and information sensitivity. Three studies are conducted to collect data (Ntotal = 1420). Our findings of Study 1 demonstrate that perceived warmth and perceived competence can increase the continuance using intention to FAIC and customer engagement, and perceived usefulness plays a mediating role in our conceptual model. Additionally, consumers' need to belong (high vs. low) (Study 2) and information sensitivity (high vs. low) (Study 3) related to chat contents moderate the main effects significantly. This article contributes to the literature on the relationship between FAIC and consumers by presenting the influence of perceived warmth and perceived competence and establishing the underlying process. Analogously, the findings can be beneficial for marketers and firms in designing and developing the coding program of FAIC to promote consumers' continuance using intention and customer engagement.
Appealing to Gen Z with Mother Nature for sustainable consumption: With mediation of psychological closeness to nature and consequence of psychological well‐being
Authors: Jeong Hyun Ju , Kim Mikyoung
Published: July 2023

Although Gen Z consumers show greater concern about sustainability than other generational cohorts, specific investigations into their sustainable consumption regarding their perceptions towards nature are relatively understudied. To address this gap, this research examines the way Gen Z consumers view nature and engage in sustainable consumption. Through a cross‐sectional survey in the U.S., the study finds that the individual tendency to anthropomorphize nature contributes to shaping psychological closeness to nature. Furthermore, nature anthropomorphism enhances sustainable consumption, and this is mediated by consumer perception of psychological closeness to nature. Additionally, sustainable consumption leads to psychological well‐being. These findings highlight that the extent to which Gen Z consumers find humanness in nature contributes to sustainable consumption by enhancing a feeling of being close to nature and this process results in the enhancement of psychological well‐being. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Chemodiversity and α‐Glucosidase Activity of Eucalyptus Species from Northwestern Himalaya, India
Authors: Maurya Antim K. , Aggarwal Gaurav , Vashisath Sachin , Kumar Vikas , Agnihotri Vijai K.
Published: July 2023

The aim of current work was to determine essential oils (EOs) composition from three Eucalyptus species, including E. citriodora, E. camaldulensis and E. globulus and assess their α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. The EOs were collected using the hydrodistillation technique and characterized by GC/MS, GC‐FID and NMR. The isolated EOs from leaves parts of Eucalyptus species varied from 0.56 to 1.0 % on fresh weight basis. The content of the EOs was distinct according to the species. The most abundant metabolites were identified as citronellal (0–83.0 %), 1,8‐cineole (0.2–44.8 %), spathulenol (0.4–16.1 %) α‐pinene (0.4–15.9 %), p‐cymene (3.7–11.9 %), citronellol (0–8.6 %), β‐eudesmol (5.3–8.6 %) and β‐pinene (0–7.1 %). The EOs obtained from targeted samples exhibited strong α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. These results are encouraging and underline that the EOs of Eucalyptus species may be a promising alternative source of natural antidiabetic.
Multiple Hydrogen‐Bonding Catalysts Enhance the Asymmetric Cyanation of Ketimines and Aldimines
Authors: Zhao Yunhui , Luo Yueyang , Liu Jun , Zheng Changwu , Zhao Gang
Published: July 2023

A highly enantioselective cyanation of imines (up to >99 % ee) has been developed using well‐designed C2‐symmetric hydrogen bonding catalysts. The catalytic strategy was characterized with low catalyst loading (0.1–1 mol %), easily accessible catalysts with diverse functional groups, and catalytic base additives. A wide range of imines, including the challenging N‐Boc and N‐Cbz protected ketimines and aldimines, as well as fluoroalkylated ketimines, were investigated under mild conditions to afford the products with good to excellent yields (up to 99 % yield) and high enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee). Control experiments revealed that the multiple hydrogen bonding catalysts enhanced the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the Strecker reaction initiated by the base.
Track‐Etched Membranes for Drug Pharmaceutical Research
Authors: Cuanalo-Contreras Karina , Hogrebe Andreas M.R. , Teichmann Karoline , Benkmann Dennis
Published: July 2023

Over the last decades, the incorporation of membranes into micro physiological systems used for pharmaceutical research and drug development has grown significantly. One example is the use of microporous track‐etched membranes in microfluidic systems like organs‐on‐a‐chip and cell culture inserts for tissue engineering. Tissue‐culture treated track‐etched membranes serve as excellent support for cell growth and efficient nutrient supply, with the added benefit of precise control of pore parameters, a critical pre‐requisite to achieve reproducible results. Here, we provide an overview of track‐etched membrane technology in the context of applications in drug discovery and development.
Formulae for generating standard and individual human cone spectral sensitivities
Authors: Stockman Andrew , Rider Andrew T.
Published: July 2023

Normal color perception is complicated. But at its initial stage it is relatively simple, since at photopic levels it depends on the activations of just three photoreceptor types: the long‐ (L‐), middle‐ (M‐) and short‐ (S‐) wavelength‐sensitive cones. Knowledge of how each type responds to different wavelengths—the three cone spectral sensitivities—can be used to model human color vision and in practical applications to specify color and predict color matches. The CIE has sanctioned the cone spectral sensitivity estimates of Stockman and Sharpe (Stockman and Sharpe, 2000, Vision Res) and their associated measures of luminous efficiency as “physiologically‐relevant” standards for color vision (CIE, 2006; 2015). These LMS cone spectral sensitivities are specified at 5‐ and 1‐nm steps for mean “standard” observers with normal cone photopigments and average ocular transparencies, both of which can vary in the population. Here, we provide formulae for the three cone spectral sensitivities as well as for macular and lens pigment density spectra, all as continuous functions of wavelength from 360 to 850 nm. These functions reproduce the tabulated discrete CIE LMS cone spectral sensitivities for 2‐deg and 10‐deg with little error in both linear and logarithmic units. Furthermore, these formulae allow the easy computation of non‐standard cone spectral sensitivities (and other color matching functions) with individual differences in macular, lens and photopigment optical densities, and with spectrally shifted hybrid or polymorphic L‐ and M‐cone photopigments appropriate for either normal or red‐green color vision deficient observers.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Simulation of Mavacamten Exposure with Drug–Drug Interactions from CYP Inducers and Inhibitors by CYP2C19 Phenotype
Authors: Chiang Manting , Sychterz Caroline , Perera Vidya , Merali Samira , Palmisano Maria , Templeton Ian E. , Gaohua Lu
Published: July 2023

Mavacamten is a first‐in‐class, oral, selective, allosteric, reversible cardiac myosin inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association functional class II–III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mavacamten is metabolized in the liver, predominantly via cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes CYP2C19 (74%), CYP3A4 (18%), and CYP2C9 (8%). A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed using Simcyp version 19 (Certara, Princeton, NJ). Following model verification, the PBPK model was used to explore the effects of strong CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 inducers, and strong, moderate, and weak CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inhibitors on mavacamten pharmacokinetics (PK) in a healthy population, with the effect of CYP2C19 phenotype predicted for poor, intermediate, normal, and ultrarapid metabolizers. The PBPK model met the acceptance criteria for all verification simulations (> 80% of model‐predicted PK parameters within 2‐fold of those observed clinically). A weak induction effect was predicted when mavacamten was administered with a strong CYP3A4 inducer in poor metabolizers. Moderate reductions in mavacamten exposure were predicted with a strong CYP2C19/CYP3A4 inducer in all CYP2C19 phenotypes. Except for the effect of strong CYP2C19 inhibitors on ultrarapid metabolizers, steady‐state area under plasma concentration–time curve and maximum plasma concentration values were weakly affected (< 2‐fold) or not affected (< 1.25‐fold), regardless of CYP2C19 phenotype. In conclusion, a fit‐for‐purpose PBPK model was developed and verified, which accurately predicted the available clinical data and was used to simulate the potential impact of CYP induction and inhibition on mavacamten PKs, stratified by CYP2C19 phenotype.
Level vector pulse width modulation for multilevel inverters
Authors: Qanbari Tohid , Tousi Behrouz , Farhadi‐Kangarlu Mohammad
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a novel method named as level vector pulse width modulation (LVPWM) is proposed for multilevel inverters. Similar to the conventional space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM), the proposed method is a vector‐based method in the α–β frame. Unlike the SVPWM, the variables of each of the α and β axes are considered separately. Instead of space vectors, level vectors are considered for the synthesis of the reference vectors. There is no need to consider multiple switching states, vectors, and large lookup tables in the algorithm. The appropriate switching states for the synthesis of the reference vectors are determined using simple computations at each sampling time. Generality for different inverter topologies, online implementation, simplicity of the algorithm and computations, independency of the algorithm complexity from the number of switching states, and easy extension to overmodulation region are the advantages of the proposed method. Implementation of the LVPWM in different inverter topologies is studied. The validation of the proposed modulation strategy is carried out by simulation and experimental results.
Plant volatiles and priority effects interactively determined initial community assembly of arthropods on multiple willow species
Authors: Yoneya Kinuyo , Miki Takeshi , Katayama Noboru
Published: July 2023

Plant traits, which are often species specific, can serve as environmental filtering for community assembly on plants. At the same time, the species identity of the initially colonizing arthropods would vary between plant individuals, which would subsequently influence colonizing arthropods and community development in the later stages. However, it remains unclear whether interindividual divergence due to priority effects is equally important as plant trait‐specific environmental filtering in the initial stages. In this study, we propose that plant volatile organic compounds (PVOCs) may play a crucial role as an environmental filter in the initial stages of community assembly, which can prevent the community assembly process from being purely stochastic. To test this hypothesis, we conducted short term but highly frequent monitoring (19 observations over 9 days) of arthropod community assembly on intact individuals of six willow species in a common garden. PVOC compositions were analyzed before starting the experiment and compared with arthropod compositions occurring on Days 1–2 of the experiment (earliest colonizer community) and those occurring on Days 8–9 of the experiment (subsequent colonizer community). Unintentionally, deer herbivory also occurred at night of Day 2. Distance‐based statistics demonstrated that PVOC compositions were plant species specific, but neither the earliest colonizer nor the subsequent colonizer community composition could be explained by plant species identity. Rather, Procrustes analysis showed that both the PVOC composition and that of the earliest colonizer community can be used to explain the subsequent colonizer community. In addition, the linkage between PVOCs and the subsequent colonizer community was stronger on individuals with deer herbivory. These findings indicate that PVOCs have widespread effects on initial community assembly, as well as priority effects brought on by stochastic immigration, and that plant species identity only has weak and indirect effects on the actual composition of the community.
3′sialyllactose and 6′sialyllactose enhance performance in endurance‐type exercise through metabolic adaptation
Authors: Arellano Spadaro Jesus , Hishida Yukihiro , Matsunaga Yukihisa , van Es‐Remers Monique , Korthout Henrie , Kim Hye Kyong , Poppelaars Eefje , Keizer Hiskias , Iliopoulou Eva , van Duijn Bert , Wildwater Marjolein , van Rijnberk Lotte
Published: July 2023

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) belong to a group of multifunctional glycans that are abundantly present in human breast milk. While health effects of neutral oligosaccharides have been investigated extensively, a lot remains unknown regarding health effects of acidic oligosaccharides, such as the two sialyllactoses (SLs), 3′sialyllactose (3′SL), and 6′sialyllactose (6′SL). We utilized Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to investigate the effects of SLs on exercise performance. Using swimming as an endurance‐type exercise, we found that SLs decrease exhaustion, signifying an increase in endurance that is strongest for 6′SL. Through an unbiased metabolomics approach, we identified changes in energy metabolism that correlated with endurance performance. Further investigation suggested that these metabolic changes were related to adaptations of muscle mitochondria that facilitated a shift from beta oxidation to glycogenolysis during exercise. We found that the effect of SLs on endurance performance required AMPK‐ (aak‐1/aak‐2) and adenosine receptor (ador‐1) signaling. We propose a model where SLs alter the metabolic status in the gut, causing a signal from the intestine to the nervous system toward muscle cells, where metabolic adaptation increases exercise performance. Together, our results underline the potential of SLs in exercise‐associated health and contribute to our understanding of the molecular processes involved in nutritionally‐induced health benefits.
Sustained Agricultural Spraying: From Leaf Wettability to Dynamic Droplet Impact Behavior
Authors: Wang Bo , Wang Jie , Yu Cunlong , Luo Siqi , Peng Jia , Li Ning , Wang Tengda , Jiang Lei , Dong Zhichao , Wang Yilin
Published: July 2023

Crop production and quality safety system have the potential to nurture human health and improve environmental sustainability. Providing a growing global population with sufficient and healthy food is an immediate challenge. However, this system largely depends on the spraying of agrochemicals. Crop leaves are covered with different microstructures, exhibiting distinct hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or even superhydrophobic wetting characteristics, thus leading to various deposition difficulties of sprayed droplets. Here, the relationship between wettability and surface microstructure in different crop leaves from biological and interfacial structural perspectives is systematically demonstrated. A relational model is proposed in which complex microstructures lead to stronger leaf hydrophobicity. And adding surfactant with a faster dynamically migrating velocity and reducing droplet size can improve agrochemical precise deposition. These contribute toward highly accurate and efficient targeted applications with fewer agrochemicals use and promote sustainable models of eco‐friendly agriculture systems.
An interoperable implementation of collective‐variable based enhanced sampling methods in extended phase space within the OpenMM package
Authors: Bajpai Shitanshu , Petkov Brian K. , Tong Muchen , Abreu Charlles R. A. , Nair Nisanth N. , Tuckerman Mark E.
Published: July 2023

Collective variable (CV)‐based enhanced sampling techniques are widely used today for accelerating barrier‐crossing events in molecular simulations. A class of these methods, which includes temperature accelerated molecular dynamics (TAMD)/driven‐adiabatic free energy dynamics (d‐AFED), unified free energy dynamics (UFED), and temperature accelerated sliced sampling (TASS), uses an extended variable formalism to achieve quick exploration of conformational space. These techniques are powerful, as they enhance the sampling of a large number of CVs simultaneously compared to other techniques. Extended variables are kept at a much higher temperature than the physical temperature by ensuring adiabatic separation between the extended and physical subsystems and employing rigorous thermostatting. In this work, we present a computational platform to perform extended phase space enhanced sampling simulations using the open‐source molecular dynamics engine OpenMM. The implementation allows users to have interoperability of sampling techniques, as well as employ state‐of‐the‐art thermostats and multiple time‐stepping. This work also presents protocols for determining the critical parameters and procedures for reconstructing high‐dimensional free energy surfaces. As a demonstration, we present simulation results on the high dimensional conformational landscapes of the alanine tripeptide in vacuo, tetra‐N‐methylglycine (tetra‐sarcosine) peptoid in implicit solvent, and the Trp‐cage mini protein in explicit water.
Phytoremediation of Cu‐contaminated vineyard soils in Brazil: A compendium of Brazilian pot studies
Authors: Marques Anderson Cesar Ramos , Tiecher Tadeu Luis , Brunetto Gustavo , Vendruscolo Diogo , De Conti Lessandro , Ambrosini Vitor Gabriel , Miotto Alcione , Rosa Daniel José , da Silva Isley Cristiellem Bicalho , Trentin Edicarla , Ferreira Paulo Ademar Avelar , Jacques Rodrigo Josemar Seminoti , Pescador Rosete , Comin Jucinei José , Ceretta Carlos Alberto , de Melo George Wellington Bastos , Parent Léon‐Étienne
Published: July 2023

Vineyard soils can be contaminated by copper (Cu) due to successive applications of fungicides and organic fertilizers. Soil remediation can be addressed by altering soil properties or selecting efficient Cu‐extracting cover crops tolerant to Cu toxicity. Our objectives were to synthesize the Cu‐extracting efficiency by plant species tested in Brazil, classify them according to Cu resistance to toxicity, and assess the effect of soil properties on attenuating Cu toxicity. We retrieved results from 41 species and cultivars, totaling 565 observations. Freshly added Cu varied between 50 and 600 mg Cu kg−1 of soil across studies. The partition of Cu removal between the above‐ and below‐ground portions was scaled as a logistic variable to facilitate data synthesis. The data were analyzed using the Adaboost machine learning model. Model accuracy (predicted vs. actual values) reached R2 = 0.862 after relating species, cultivar, Cu addition, clay, SOM, pH, soil test P, and Cu as features to predict the logistic target variable. Tissue Cu concentration varied between 7 and 105 mg Cu kg−1 in the shoot and between 73 and 1340 mg Cu kg−1 in the roots. Among soil properties, organic matter and soil test Cu most influenced the accuracy of the model. Phaseolus vulgaris, Brassica juncea, Ricinus communis, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum vulgare, Cajanus cajan, Solanum lycopersicum, and Crotolaria spectabilis were the most efficient Cu‐extracting cover crops, as shown by positive values of the logistic variable (shoot removal > root removal). Those Cu‐tolerant plants showed differential capacity to extract Cu in the long run.
HBV confers innate immune evasion through triggering HAT1/acetylation of H4K5/H4K12/miR‐181a‐5p or KPNA2/cGAS‐STING/IFN‐I signaling
Authors: Zhao Lina , Yuan Hongfeng , Wang Yufei , Geng Yu , Yun Haolin , Zheng Wei , Yuan Ying , Lv Pan , Hou Chunyu , Zhang Huihui , Sun Jiao , Sun Linlin , Suo Yuhong , Wang Shuai , Zhang Ningning , Lu Wei , Yang Guang , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: July 2023

Viral immune evasion is crucial to the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the role of HBV in the modulation of innate immune evasion is poorly understood. A liver‐specific histone acetyltransferase 1 (Hat1) knockout (KO) mouse model and HAT1 KO cell line were established. Immunohistochemistry staining, Western blot analysis, Southern blot analysis, Northern blot analysis, immunofluorescence assays, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed in the livers of mouse models, primary human hepatocytes, HepG2‐NTCP, and Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines. HBV‐elevated HAT1 increased the expression of miR‐181a‐5p targeting cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) messenger RNA 3′ untranslated regions through modulating acetylation of H4K5 and H4K12 in vitro and in vivo, leading to the inability of cGAS‐stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and type I interferon (IFN‐I) signaling. Additionally, HBV‐elevated HAT1 promoted the expression of KPNA2 through modulating acetylation of H4K5 and H4K12 in the system, resulting in nuclear translocation of cGAS, HBx was responsible for the events by HAT1, suggesting that HBV‐elevated HAT1 controls the cGAS‐STING pathway and IFN‐I signaling to modulate viral innate immune evasion. HBV confers innate immune evasion through triggering HAT1/acetylation of H4K5/H4K12/miR‐181a‐5p or KPNA2/cGAS‐STING/IFN‐I signaling. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which HBV drives viral innate immune evasion.
Real‐time fetal brain tracking for functional fetal MRI
Authors: Neves Silva Sara , Aviles Verdera Jordina , Tomi‐Tricot Raphael , Neji Radhouene , Uus Alena , Grigorescu Irina , Wilkinson Thomas , Ozenne Valery , Lewin Alexander , Story Lisa , De Vita Enrico , Rutherford Mary , Pushparajah Kuberan , Hajnal Jo , Hutter Jana
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To improve motion robustness of functional fetal MRI scans by developing an intrinsic real‐time motion correction method. MRI provides an ideal tool to characterize fetal brain development and growth. It is, however, a relatively slow imaging technique and therefore extremely susceptible to subject motion, particularly in functional MRI experiments acquiring multiple Echo‐Planar‐Imaging‐based repetitions, for example, diffusion MRI or blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependency MRI.

Methods

A 3D UNet was trained on 125 fetal datasets to track the fetal brain position in each repetition of the scan in real time. This tracking, inserted into a Gadgetron pipeline on a clinical scanner, allows updating the position of the field of view in a modified echo‐planar imaging sequence. The method was evaluated in real‐time in controlled‐motion phantom experiments and ten fetal MR studies (17 + 4‐34 + 3 gestational weeks) at 3T. The localization network was additionally tested retrospectively on 29 low‐field (0.55T) datasets.

Results

Our method achieved real‐time fetal head tracking and prospective correction of the acquisition geometry. Localization performance achieved Dice scores of 84.4% and 82.3%, respectively for both the unseen 1.5T/3T and 0.55T fetal data, with values higher for cephalic fetuses and increasing with gestational age.

Conclusions

Our technique was able to follow the fetal brain even for fetuses under 18 weeks GA in real‐time at 3T and was successfully applied “offline” to new cohorts on 0.55T. Next, it will be deployed to other modalities such as fetal diffusion MRI and to cohorts of pregnant participants diagnosed with pregnancy complications, for example, pre‐eclampsia and congenital heart disease.
Spatial clustering of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Sardinia, Italy: The contribution of age, sex, and genetic factors
Authors: Borghero Giuseppe , Sechi Maria Margherita , Vasta Rosario , Pierri Vincenzo , Pili Francesca , Pateri Ida , Pilotto Silvy , Ercoli Tommaso , Muroni Antonella , Chiò Adriano , Defazio Giovanni
Published: July 2023

Introduction/Aims

Several microgeographic clusters of higher/lower incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been identified worldwide. Differences in the distribution of local factors were proposed to explain the excess ALS risk, whereas the contribution of known genetic/epigenetic factors remains unclear. The aim is to identify restricted areas of higher risk in Sardinia and to assess whether age, sex, and the most common causative genetic mutations in Sardinia (C9orf72 and TARDBP mutations) contributed to the variation in the ALS risk.

Methods

We performed an ad hoc analysis of the 10‐y population‐based incident cohort of ALS cases from a recent study of a large Sardinian area. Cluster analysis was performed by age‐ and sex‐adjusted Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic.

Results

We identified a statistically significant cluster of higher ALS incidence in a relatively large area including 34 municipalities and >100,000 individuals. The investigated genetic mutations were more frequent in the cluster area than outside. Regardless of the genetic mutations, the excess of ALS risk was significantly associated with either sex or with age ≥ 65 y. Finally, an additive interaction between older age and male sex contributed to the excess of ALS risk in the cluster area but not outside.

Discussion

Our analysis demonstrated that known genetic factors, age, and sex may contribute to microgeographic variation in ALS incidence. The significant additive interaction between older age and male sex we found in the high‐incidence cluster could suggest the presence of a third factor connecting the analyzed risk factors.
Review on energetic copolymer binders for propulsion applications: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Touidjine Sabri , Boulkadid Moulai Karim , Trache Djalal , Akbi Hamdane , Guettiche Djamil , Belkhiri Samir , Nourine Manel
Published: July 2023

This article aims to outline the current progress in the field of energetic copolymer binders for composite solid propellants (CSPs). Propellants, which are a type of energetic material, are used to generate thrust in rockets and missiles, and they are generally less sensitive than explosives. The common formulations of CSPs contain several different chemical compounds that are typically bound together by a polymeric matrix to form a continuous solid. The use of inert polymers, however, does not enhance the overall specific impulse of the propellant. Energetic copolymers have emerged as a compelling category of binders for CSPs in recent years, offering potential advantages over traditional binders such as improved performance, enhanced safety, and increased manufacturing efficiency. The paper reviews the various types of energetic copolymer binders that have been developed, their potential advantages and drawbacks, and the current challenges and opportunities in the field. It suggests directions for future research and development and aims to provide a useful resource for researchers and practitioners interested in the use of energetic copolymer binders toward CSPs.
Undue harms against adult dancers: Regulation of strip club labor based on spurious research, claims, and stigma
Authors: Zack‐Wu Madison L.
Published: July 2023

Nationwide, regulations of strip clubs are based on spurious research and claims that create and perpetuate harms against dancers. There is a multitude of scientific evidence suggesting that limited regulation and decriminalization of nudity, alcohol, touch, and physical proximity have positive effects and correlations for dancers and their work. The phenomenon of unwarranted regulations begs the question: Why is our sociopolitical climate so inclined to hinder and harm dancers and their labor? I posit that these regulations are interrelated to the stigmatization and marginalization of sex work and the minority groups that commonly comprise dancer demographics. Lastly, I call for sociopolitical change to empower dancers instead of continuing oppressive patterns of the past.
Fluorocarbon Modified Chitosan to Enable Transdermal Immunotherapy for Melanoma Treatment
Authors: Zhuang Qi , Chao Ting , Wu Yuanyuan , Wei Ting , Ren Jiacheng , Cao Zhiqing , Peng Rui , Liu Zhuang
Published: July 2023

Despite the rapid development of the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in melanoma treatment, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) still hinders the efficacy of immunotherapy. Recently, using agonists to modulate the TME have presented promising clinical responses in combination with ICB therapies. However, local intratumoral injection as the commonly used administration route for immune agonists would lead to low patient compliance. Herein, it is demonstrated that fluorocarbon modified chitosan (FCS) can self‐assemble with immune adjuvant polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), forming nanoparticles that can penetrate through cutaneous barriers to enable transdermal delivery. FCS/poly(I:C) can efficiently activate various types of cells presented on the transdermal route (through the skin into the TME), leading to IRF3‐mediated IFN‐β induction in the activated cells for tumor repression. Furthermore, transdermal FCS/poly(I:C) treatment can significantly magnify the efficacy of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) blockade in melanoma treatment through activating the immunosuppressive TME. This study approach offered an attractive transdermal approach in combined with ICB therapy for combined immunotherapy, particularly suitable for melanoma treatment.
Mixed‐Solvent Engineering as a Way around the Trade‐Off between Yield and Purity of (7,3) Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Obtained Using Conjugated Polymer Extraction
Authors: Dzienia Andrzej , Just Dominik , Taborowska Patrycja , Mielanczyk Anna , Milowska Karolina Z. , Yorozuya Shunji , Naka Sadahito , Shiraki Tomohiro , Janas Dawid
Published: July 2023

The inability to purify nanomaterials such as single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to the desired extent hampers the progress in nanoscience. Various SWCNT types can be purified by extraction, but it is challenging to establish conditions giving rise to the isolation of high‐purity fractions. The problem stems from the fact that common organic solvents or water cannot provide an optimal environment for purification. Consequently, one must often decide between the separation yield and purity of the product. This article reports how through the self‐synthesis of poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) with tailored characteristics, in‐depth elucidation of the extraction process, and mixed‐solvent engineering, a high‐yield isolation of monochiral (7,3) SWCNTs is developed. The combination of toluene and tetralin affords a separation medium of unique properties, wherein both high yield and exceptional purity can be attained simultaneously. The reported results pave the way for further research on this rare chirality, which, as illustrated herein, is much more reactive than any of the previously separated SWCNTs.
Advances in Flexible Thermoelectric Materials and Devices Fabricated by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Hu Boxuan , Shi Xiao-Lei , Cao Tianyi , Li Meng , Chen Wenyi , Liu Wei-Di , Lyu Wanyu , Tesfamichael Tuquabo , Chen Zhi-Gang
Published: July 2023

Due to the direct conversion between thermal and electrical energy, thermoelectric materials and their devices exhibit great potential for power generation and refrigeration. With the rapid development of personal wearable electronics, the design of flexible inorganic thermoelectric materials and devices receives increasing attention. As one of the most mature thin‐film fabrication techniques, magnetron sputtering plays a key role in the fabrication of inorganic thermoelectric thin films and devices, but its progress is still not timely and comprehensively reviewed. Herein, recent advances in magnetron sputtering‐fabricated thermoelectric materials and devices are studied, including their thermoelectric properties, mechanical properties, and device design routes. The differences in the properties of thermoelectric materials under different sputtering conditions, as well as their underlying mechanisms, are carefully discussed. In the end, it is pointed out the challenges and future directions for magnetron sputtering‐prepared inorganic thermoelectric thin‐film materials and devices for practical applications. This review can serve as a useful reference to guide the design of inorganic thermoelectric materials and devices prepared by magnetron‐sputtering‐based deposition techniques.