bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solar‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Oxidative Coupling of Phenol Derivatives over Bismuth‐Based Porous Metal Halide Perovskites
Authors: Lee Jinsun , Kumar Ashwani , Tüysüz Harun
Published: March 2024

The selective oxidative coupling of phenol derivatives, involving carbon‐carbon (C−C) and carbon‐oxygen (C−O) bond formation, has emerged as a critical approach in the synthesis of natural products. However, achieving precise control over the selectivity in coupling reactions of unsubstituted phenols utilizing solar light as the driving force remains a big challenge. In this study, we report a series of porous Cs3Bi2X9 (X=Cl, Br, I) photocatalysts with tailored band gaps and compositions engineered for efficient solar‐light‐driven oxidative phenol coupling. Notably, p‐Cs3Bi2Br9 exhibited about 73 % selectivity for C−C coupling, displaying a high formation rate of 47.3 μmol gcat−1 h−1 under solar radiation. Furthermore, this approach enables control of the site‐selectivity for phenol derivatives on Cs3Bi2X9, enhancing C−C coupling. The distinctive porous structure and appropriate band‐edge positions of Cs3Bi2Br9 facilitated efficient charge separation, and surface interaction/activation of phenolic hydroxyl groups, resulting in the kinetically preferred formation of C−C over C−O bond. Mechanistic insights into the reaction pathway, supported by comprehensive control experiments, unveiled the crucial role of interfacial charge transfers and Lewis acid Bi sites in stabilizing phenolic intermediates, thereby directing the regioselectivity of diradical couplings and resulting in the formation of unsymmetrical biphenols.
Microfiltration of milk fat globules for particle size affects key sensory parameters of Cheddar cheese
Authors: Eyres Graham , Gunaratne Thejani , Cochet‐Broch Maeva , Mazzonetto Michael , Singh Tanoj , Logan Amy
Published: March 2024

Descriptive sensory analysis discriminated between the appearance, aroma, flavor, taste and texture of Cheddar cheese samples prepared from milk varying in fat globule size; small milk fat globule milk (SMM, d4,3 = 2.76 ± 0.07 μm), large milk fat globule milk (LMM, d4,3 = 5.07 ± 0.06 μm) and Control (d4,3 = 3.91 ± 0.09 μm), over a six‐month maturation period. Significant differences were measured between SMM, LMM and the Control as each cheese matured, where SMM was the most different across all parameters examined. SMM was lowest in color intensity (34.6 < 38.8–47.0), firmness (29.4 < 36.1–47.7), and fracturability (24.5 < 28.8–30.7), and highest in cohesiveness (57.0 > 39.8–45.8), adhesiveness (52.9 > 39.0–45.4), and smoothness (50.4 > 37.9–44.0). Moreover, SMM was more intense than the Control in cultured odor (34.9 > 29.6–30.6) and flavor (45.5 > 34.9–36.2), rancid (23.3 > 16.0–18.6) and metallic (17.7 > 14.3) flavor, salty taste (45.7 > 40.3–40.5) and aftertaste (38.5 > 34.9–35.8), sour (36.3 > 28.9) and umami taste (19.6 > 16.4); attributes that align with the degree of maturation. LMM showed similar differences to the Control, but was firmer (36.1 > 29.4), less cohesive (45.8 < 57.0), adhesive (45.4 < 52.9) and smooth (44.0 < 50.4) and had a less intense cultured odor (31.5 < 34.9) than SMM. An increase in salty taste was associated with a decrease in cheese firmness (−0.91, p < 0.0001). These results could provide process‐driven solutions that allow the dairy industry to decrease maturation time or create differentiated cheese products to meet specific consumer tastes or function.
Compatibility analysis between natural rubber/polybutadiene rubber and protective waxes based on experiments and materials studio simulations
Authors: Jiang Shuangyan , Li Yue , Yong Zhanfu
Published: March 2024

Protective waxes are typically mixtures of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes that retard the aging of unsaturated rubbers and are widely used in rubber products. The wax solubility of rubber products is important for understanding the migration behavior and film formation of waxes and determining the appropriate wax content in rubber compounds. In this article, protective waxes were applied to natural rubber (NR)/polybutadiene rubber (BR) based sidewall rubber and the compatibility between NR and BR and the protective wax dissolution in these rubbers were investigated with a focus on the former investigation through Materials Studio simulations. It was found that the simulation results are strongly correlated with the wax migration test results on compounded and cured rubber at different NR/BR mass ratios. Blends and mesoscopic dynamics simulations yielded good compatibility between NR and BR and favorable blend morphology. By analyzing the solubility parameter, R value, mean square displacement and diffusion coefficient of wax chains with different lengths in the NR/BR matrix, the mechanism and reasons for the wax precipitation variation of protective waxes at varying NR/BR mass ratios were analyzed from a microstructural point of view, which provides strong theoretical support for the design of the molecular structure of protective waxes.
Three‐dimensional molar enamel thickness and distribution patterns in Late Miocene Lufengpithecus lufengensis from Shihuiba, Southwest China
Authors: Zhang Lizhao , Du Baopu , Hu Rong , Zhao Lingxia
Published: March 2024

Enamel thickness and distribution provide dietary insights in hominoids. Yet, three‐dimensional (3D) enamel analysis of the Late Miocene Lufengpithecus from southwest China is lacking. We digitally reconstructed 68 unworn or lightly worn Lufengpithecus (L.) lufengensis molars using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). Comparisons with modern humans, Homo erectus, extant/fossil Pongo, Pan, and Gorilla reveal L. lufengensis has “intermediate/thick” enamel, thicker than Pongo and Gorilla, but thinner than modern humans and H. erectus. In enamel distribution, relatively thicker enamel lies on the lingual cusps of the maxillary molars. The hypoconid, hypoconulid, and entoconid exhibit relatively thicker enamel compared to the metaconid and protoconid of the mandibular molars. L. lufengensis also exhibits an uneven pattern on the lingual and buccal walls. With relatively intermediate/thick enamel and distinctive distribution pattern, L. lufengensis may be able to respond to dietary variation in seasonal habitats.
Variation of gene expression of fatty acid acyl CoA reductase associated with wax secretion of a scale insect, Ericerus pela, and identification of its regulation factors through the accessible chromatin analyses and yeast one‐hybrid
Authors: Fu Zuoyi , Shi Yuanchong , Yu Shuhui , Zhao Qiuyu , Mo Haifeng , Yang Pu
Published: March 2024

The Chinese white wax scale insect (CWWSI), Ericerus pela, can secret an amount of wax equivalent to their body weight. Previous studies demonstrated the fatty acyl‐CoA reductase (far3) plays a pivotal role in wax secretion of CWWSI. The high expression of far3 is crucial for the massive wax secretion. However, the transcription regulation of far3 was not clear. To identify regulatory factors that control the expression of far3, the assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin (ATAC) and yeast one‐hybrid (Y1H) were carried out in this study. The ATAC sequencing of the CWWSI at the early wax‐secretion stage ATAC‐seq resulted in 22.75 GB raw data, generated 75,827,225 clean reads and revealed 142,771 peaks. There was one significant peak in the 3 kb upstream regulation regions. The peak sequence is located between −1000 and −670 bp upstream of the far3 transcription start site, spanning a length of 331 bp. This peak sequence served as bait for creating the pAbAi‐peak recombinant vector, used in Y1H screenings to identify proteins interacting with far3 gene. The results indicate a successful CWWSI cDNA library construction with a capacity of 1.2 × 107 colony forming unit, a 95.8% recombination rate, and insert sizes between 1,000 and 2,000 bp. Self‐activation tests established that 100 ng/mL of AbA effectively inhibited bait vector self‐activation. Finally, a total of 88 positive clones were selected. After sequencing and removal of duplication, 63 unique clones were obtained from these screened colonies. By aligning the clone sequences with full‐length transcriptome and genome of CWWSI, the full‐length coding sequences of these clones were obtained. BlastX analysis identified a transcription factor, nuclear transcription factor Y beta, and two co‐activators, cAMP‐response‐element‐binding‐protein‐binding protein and WW domain binding protein 2. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that their expression patterns were consistent with the developmental stages preceding wax secretion and matched the wax secretion characteristics during ovulation periods. These results are beneficial for further research into the regulatory mechanisms of wax secretion of CWWSI.
Synthesis, biological activities, and molecular docking studies of triazolo[4,3‐b]triazine derivatives as a novel class of α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitors
Authors: Seyfi Soheila , Salarinejad Somayeh , Moghimi Setareh , Toolabi Mahsa , Sadeghian Nastaran , Tüzün Burak , Firoozpour Loghman , Ketabforoosh Shima H. M. E. , Taslimi Parham , Foroumadi Alireza
Published: March 2024

In diabetes mellitus, amylase and glucosidase enzymes are the primary triggers. The main function of these enzymes is to break macromolecules into simple sugar units, which directly affect blood sugar levels by increasing blood permeability. To overcome this metabolic effect, there is a need for a potent and effective inhibitor capable of suppressing the enzymatic conversion of sugar macromolecules into their smaller units. Herein, we reported the discovery of a series of substituted triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazine derivatives as α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitors. All target compounds demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase enzymes compared with acarbose as the positive control. The most potent compound 10k, 2‐[(6‐phenyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazin‐3‐yl)thio]‐N‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]acetamide, demonstrated IC50 values of 31.87 and 24.64 nM against α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase enzymes, respectively. To study their mechanism of action, kinetic studies were also done, which determined the mode of inhibition of both enzymes. Molecular docking was used to confirm the binding interactions of the most active compounds.
Screening of Chelidonium majus isoquinoline alkaloids reveals berberine and chelidonine as selective ligands for the nuclear receptors RORβ and HNF4α, respectively
Authors: Salehi Sohrab , Schallmayer Espen , Bandomir Nils , Kärcher Annette , Güth Jan‐Frederik , Heitel Pascal
Published: March 2024

The nuclear receptors hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor‐β (RORβ) are ligand‐regulated transcription factors and potential drug targets for metabolic disorders. However, there is a lack of small molecular, selective ligands to explore the therapeutic potential in further detail. Here, we report the discovery of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) isoquinoline alkaloids as nuclear receptor modulators: Berberine is a selective RORβ inverse agonist and modulated target genes involved in the circadian clock, photoreceptor cell development, and neuronal function. The structurally related chelidonine was identified as a ligand for the constitutively active HNF4α receptor, with nanomolar potency in a cellular reporter gene assay. In human liver cancer cells naturally expressing high levels of HNF4α, chelidonine acted as an inverse agonist and downregulated genes associated with gluconeogenesis and drug metabolism. Both berberine and chelidonine are promising tool compounds to further investigate their target nuclear receptors and for drug discovery.
Health benefits of fraxetin: From chemistry to medicine
Authors: Ha Nguyen Manh , Son Ninh The
Published: March 2024

Fraxetin is a bioactive molecule present in various natural plants, especially Cortex Fraxini. Evidenced outcomes in phytochemical and biological analyses for this agent are now available in the literature, but an insightful review is yet unknown. The goal of the current research is to offer a panoramic illustration of natural observation, biosynthesis, synthesis, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics for fraxetin. Esculetin and ferulic acid acted as precursors in the enzymatic biosynthetic route, whereas fraxetin could be easily synthesized from simple phenols. A great deal of interest was obtained in using this molecule for pharmacological targets. Herein, its pharmacological value included anticancer, antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and antimicrobial activities, as well as the protection of the liver, neurons, heart, bone, lung, kidney, and others. Anticancer activity may involve the inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and migration, together with apoptotic induction. Health benefits from this molecule were deduced from its ability to suppress cytokines and protect the immune syndrome. Various signaling pathways, such as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB)/NLRP3, Akt/AMPK, have been proposed for in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of action. Fraxetin is highly distributed to rat plasma and several organs. However, more pharmacokinetic studies to improve its bioavailability are needed since its solubility in water is still limited.
Genome‐scale metabolic modeling of Thraustochytrium sp. RT2316‐16: Effects of nutrients on metabolism
Authors: Shene Carolina , Leyton Allison , Flores Liset , Chavez Daniela , Asenjo Juan A. , Chisti Yusuf
Published: March 2024

Marine thraustochytrids produce metabolically important lipids such as the long‐chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and sterols. The growth and lipid production in thraustochytrids depends on the composition of the culture medium that often contains yeast extract as a source of amino acids. This work discusses the effects of individual amino acids provided in the culture medium as the only source of nitrogen, on the production of biomass and lipids by the thraustochytrid Thraustochytrium sp. RT2316‐16. A reconstructed metabolic network based on the annotated genome of RT2316‐16 in combination with flux balance analysis was used to explain the observed growth and consumption of the nutrients. The culture kinetic parameters estimated from the experimental data were used to constrain the flux via the nutrient consumption rates and the specific growth rate of the triacylglycerol‐free biomass in the genome‐scale metabolic model (GEM) to predict the specific rate of ATP production for cell maintenance. A relationship was identified between the specific rate of ATP production for maintenance and the specific rate of glucose consumption. The GEM and the derived relationship for the production of ATP for maintenance were used in linear optimization problems, to successfully predict the specific growth rate of RT2316‐16 in different experimental conditions.
Prediction models for the flux decay profile and initial flux of microfiltration for therapeutic proteins
Authors: Inoue Kota , Masuda Yumiko , Torisu Tetsuo , Nonaka Koichi , Uchiyama Susumu
Published: March 2024

Microfiltration (MF) is an essential step during biopharmaceutical manufacturing. However, unexpected flux decay can occur. Although the flux decay profile and initial flux are important factors determining MF filterability, predicting them accurately is challenging, as the root cause of unexpected flux decay remains elusive. In this study, the methodology for developing a prediction model of flux decay profiles was established. First, the filtration profiles of different monodisperse polystyrene latex and silica beads of various sizes were evaluated. These results revealed that the size and surface electrostatic properties of the beads affect the flux decay profile. Taking the size and surface electrostatic properties of protein aggregates into account, we constructed a predictive model using model bead filtration profiles. We showed that this methodology was applicable to two different MF filters to predict the flux decay profile of therapeutic proteins. Because our proposed prediction model is based on normalized flux, the initial flux is required to predict the overall filtration profile. Then, we applied the Hagen–Poiseuille equation using sample viscosity values to estimate the initial flux. The developed prediction models can be used for effective MF scale‐up assessment during the early stages of process development.
An experimental and modeling approach to describe the deactivation of cellulases at the air–liquid interface
Authors: Cachafeiro Laura , Heiss‐Blanquet Senta , Hudebine Damien
Published: March 2024

Understanding the reaction mechanisms involved in the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose is important because it is kinetically the most limiting step of the bioethanol production process. The present work focuses on the enzymatic deactivation at the air–liquid interface, which is one of the aspects contributing to this global deactivation. This phenomenon has already been experimentally proven, but this is the first time that a model has been proposed to describe it. Experiments were performed by incubating Celluclast cocktail solutions on an orbital stirring system at different enzyme concentrations and different surface‐to‐volume ratios. A 5‐day follow‐up was carried out by measuring the global FPase activity of cellulases for each condition tested. The activity loss was proven to depend on both the air–liquid surface area and the enzyme concentration. Both observations suggest that the loss of activity takes place at the air–liquid surface, the total amount of enzymes varying with volume or enzyme concentration. Furthermore, tests performed using five individual enzymes purified from a Trichoderma reesei cocktail showed that the only cellulase that is deactivated at the air–liquid interface is cellobiohydrolase II. From the experimental data collected by varying the initial enzyme concentration and the ratio surface to volume, it was possible to develop, for the first time, a model that describes the loss of activity at the air‐liquid interface for this configuration.
Undergraduate and graduate students' conceptual understanding of model classification outcomes under the lens of scientific argumentation
Authors: Wiese Lucas , Will Pinto Hector E. , Magana Alejandra J.
Published: March 2024

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have driven research and development across multiple industries to meet national economic and technological demands. Consequently, companies are investing in AI, ML, and data analytics workforce development efforts to digitalize operations and enhance global competitiveness. As such, evidence‐based educational research around ML is essential to provide a foundation for the future workforce as they face complex AI challenges. This study explored students' conceptual ML understanding through a scientific argumentation framework, where we examined how they used evidence and reasoning to support claims about their ML models. This framework lets us gain insight into students' conceptualizations and helped scaffold student learning via a cognitive apprenticeship model. Thirty students in a mechanical engineering classroom at Purdue University experimented with neural network ML models within a computational notebook to create visual claims (ML models) with textual explanations of their evidence and reasoning. Accordingly, we qualitatively analyzed their learning artifacts to examine their underfit, fit, and overfit models and explanations. It was found that some students tended toward technical explanations while others used visual explanations. Students with technically dominant explanations had higher proficiency in generating correctly fit models but lacked explanatory evidence. Conversely, students with visually dominant explanations provided evidence but lacked technical reasoning and were less accurate in identifying fit models. We discuss implications for both groups of students and offer future research directions to examine how positive pedagogical elements of learning design can optimize ML educational material and AI workforce development.
Building Rapport in Interviews with Adolescent Trafficking Victims
Authors: Dianiska Rachel E. , Simpson Emma , Kim Sarah , Lyon Thomas D. , Quas Jodi A.
Published: March 2024

Though much is known about children's sexual abuse disclosure, less attention has been directed towards disclosure in other types of youthful victims, especially those who may be reluctant to tell due to either normative development or victims' specific experiences. Trafficked youth, particularly those who are adolescents, represent one such group. Understanding how suspected youth trafficking victims are questioned by authorities, especially with respect to establishing rapport and trust, is important for informing professionals how to effectively question this unique population of victims to overcome their reluctance. We examined transcripts of interviews conducted by federal interviewers (n = 12,653 question‐answer turns across 33 interviews) and police (n = 4,972 question‐answer turns across 14 interviews) with trafficked youth between the ages of 12 and 18. Interviews were reliably coded for the length of pre‐substantive questioning, provision of instructions and ground rules, and use of rapport building and supportive strategies. Federal interviewers used pre‐substantive instructions and built rapport with potential victims more often than police did. Also, and although infrequently used overall, supportive interviewing strategies were evident more often by federal interviewers than police. Results provide much‐needed knowledge about how law enforcement investigators interview and elicit disclosures from vulnerable populations of adolescent victims.
POFUT1 and PLAGL2 are characteristic markers of mucinous colorectal cancer associated with MUC2 expression
Authors: Monno Masayoshi , Ogiri Masayo , Seishima Ryo , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Hattori Kaoru , Matsui Shimpei , Shigeta Kohei , Okabayashi Koji , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: March 2024

Colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is one of the most lethal histological types of colorectal cancer, and its mechanism of development is not well understood. In this study, we aimed to clarify the molecular characteristics of MAC via in silico analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The expression of genes on chromosome 20q (Chr20q) was negatively associated with the expression of MUC2, which is a key molecule that can be used to distinguish between MAC and nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMAC). This was consistent with a significant difference in copy number alteration of Chr20q between the two histological types. We further identified 475 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MAC and NMAC, and some of the Chr20q genes among the DEGs are considered to be pivotal genes used to define MAC. Both in vitro and in vivo analysis showed that simultaneous knockdown of POFUT1 and PLAGL2, both of which are located on Chr20q, promoted MUC2 expression. Moreover, these genes were highly expressed in NMAC but not in MAC according to the results of immunohistological studies using human samples. In conclusion, POFUT1 and PLAGL2 are considered to be important for defining MAC, and these genes are associated with MUC2 expression.
Silver nanoparticles stimulate 5‐Fluorouracil‐induced colorectal cancer cells to kill through the upregulation TRPV1‐mediated calcium signaling pathways
Authors: Kaya Müge Mavioğlu
Published: March 2024

The involvement of the TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) cation channel on the 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐caused Ca2+ signals through the activation of the apoptotic signaling pathway and stimulating the mitochondrial Ca2+ and Zn2+ accumulation‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) productions in several cancer cells, except the colorectal cancer (HT‐29) cell line, was recently reported. I aimed to investigate the action of silver nanoparticles (SiNPs) and 5‐FU incubations through the activation of TRPV1 on ROS, apoptosis, and cell death in the HT‐29 cell line. The cells were divided into four groups: control, SiNP (100 µM for 48 h), 5‐FU (25 μM for 24 h), and 5‐FU + SiNP. SiNP treatment through TRPV1 activation (via capsaicin) stimulated the oxidant and apoptotic actions of 5‐FU in the cells, whereas they were diminished in the cells by the TRPV1 antagonist (capsazepine) treatment. The apoptotic and cell death actions of 5‐FU were determined by increasing the propidium iodide/Hoechst rate, caspase‐3, ‐8, and ‐9 activations, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lipid peroxidation, and ROS, but decreasing the glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. The increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ and Zn2+ into mitochondria via the stimulation of TRPV1 current density increased oxidant and apoptotic properties of 5‐FU in the cells. For the therapy of HT‐29 tumor cells, I found that the combination of SiNPs and 5‐FU was synergistic via TRPV1 activation.
Fibroblast activation protein promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating the immunity
Authors: Wang Xiangcheng , Niu Ruilong , Yang Hao , Lin Yu , Hou Hui , Yang Hong
Published: March 2024

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been indicated to express in cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in most cancers. This work was dedicated to exploring FAP's effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, ImmPort, and Reactome databases. The correlation between FAP and HCC patients' prognosis was explored via survival analysis. The qRT‐PCR and western blot analysis were used to analyze the FAP mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using the cell counting kit‐8 assay kit and Annexin V‐FITC/PI apoptosis kit, respectively. The HCC patients with FAP overexpression displayed a worse prognosis. The FAP expression was positively associated with the infiltration levels of tumor purity, B cell, CD8 + T cell, CD4 + T cell, macrophage, neutrophil, and dendritic cell. The optimal nine immune related genes were screened between two groups (FAP high vs. low). Moreover, we identified 24 energy metabolism related genes (FAP high vs. low) and these 24 genes were highly expressed in the high FAP expression group. The FAP expression had a significant positive correlation with the expression of PD‐1, CTLA4, PDL‐1, and PDL‐2. The FAP overexpression promoted proliferation and migration while inhibiting the apoptosis of HCC cells. The FAP overexpression promoted the progression of HCC by regulating the immunity to affect the prognosis of HCC patients, thereby serving as a poor prognostic marker for HCC patients.
Exploring the best strategy for true bifurcation coronary diseases to avoid a “fall between two stools”
Authors: Suzuki Nobuaki
Published: March 2024

Key points

The double kissing crush technique is a promising strategy for true bifurcation coronary diseases, although it is yet to be recognized as a “gold standard” because of its complexity.

A “one strategy fits all” approach is not applicable to bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because of diversity.

New technologies may overcome this issue with diversity and support tailored PCI for true bifurcation coronary diseases.
Interfacial Bonding Induced Charge Transfer in Two‐Dimensional Amorphous MoO3‐x/Graphdiyne Oxide Non‐Van der Waals Heterostructures for Dominant SERS Enhancement
Authors: Yang Jian , Yan Pengfei , Chen Zongwei , Liu Wei , Liu Zhaoxi , Ma Zijian , Xu Qun
Published: March 2024

Two‐dimensional semiconductor‐based nanomaterials have shown to be an effective substrate for Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. However, the enhancement factor (EF) tends to be relatively weak compared to that of noble metals and does not allow for trace detection of molecules. In this work, we report the successful preparation of two‐dimensional (2D) amorphous non‐van der Waals heterostructures MoO3‐x/GDYO nanomaterials using supercritical CO2. Due to the synergistic effect of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect and the charge transfer effect, it exhibits excellent SERS performance in the detection of methylene blue (MB) molecules, with a detection limit as low as 10−14 M while the enhancement factor (EF) can reach an impressive 2.55×1011. More importantly, the chemical bond bridging at the MoO3‐x/GDYO heterostructures interface can accelerate the electron transfer between the interfaces, and the large number of defective surface structures on the heterostructures surface facilitates the chemisorption of MB molecules. And the charge recombination lifetime can be proved by a ~1.7‐fold increase during their interfacial electron‐transfer process for MoO3‐x/GDYO@MB mixture, achieving highly sensitive SERS detection.
The Application of Porous Organic Polymers as Metal Free Photocatalysts in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Debruyne Maarten , Van Der Voort Pascal , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Stevens Christian V.
Published: March 2024

Concerns about increasing greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on our environment highlight the urgent need for new sustainable technologies. Visible light photocatalysis allows the clean and selective generation of reactive intermediates under mild conditions. The more widespread adoption of the current generation of photocatalysts, particularly those using precious metals, is hampered by drawbacks such as their cost, toxicity, difficult separation, and limited recyclability. This is driving the search for alternatives, such as porous organic polymers (POPs). This new class of materials is made entirely from organic building blocks, can possess high surface area and stability, and has a controllable composition and functionality. This review focuses on the application of POPs as photocatalysts in organic synthesis. For each reaction type, a representative material is discussed, with special attention to the mechanism of the reaction. Additionally, an overview is given, comparing POPs with other classes of photocatalysts, and critical conclusions and future perspectives are provided on this important field.
Room Temperature Phosphorescence in Crystalline Iodinated Eumelanin Monomer
Authors: Vinod Kavya , Jadhav Sohan D. , Hariharan Mahesh
Published: March 2024

We report the room temperature phosphorescence upon iodination on a crystalline eumelanin monomer with shielded hydroxyl moieties, ethyl 5,6‐dimethoxyindole‐2‐carboxylate (DMICE). Ultrafast intersystem crossing (ISC) is observed in the iodinated (IDMICE) as well as brominated (BDMICE) analogues of the eumelanin monomer derivative in solution. The triplet quantum yields (φT) and intersystem crossing rates (kISC) of the halogenated eumelanin derivatives are
=25.4±1.1 %;
=1.95×109 s−1 and
=59.1±1.6 %;
1.36×1010 s−1, as monitored using transient absorption spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations based on nuclear ensemble method reveal that computed kISC and spin‐orbit coupling matrix elements for eumelanin derivatives are larger for IDMICE relative to BDMICE. The halogen and π‐π interactions, with distinct excitonic coupling and higher ISC rate promote phosphorescence in IDMICE molecular crystals. Accessing triplet excited states and resultant photoluminescence through structural modification of eumelanin scaffolds paves way for exploring the versatility of eumelanin‐inspired molecules as bio‐functional materials.
Achieving Dendrite‐Free Zinc Metal Anodes via Molecule Anchoring and lon‐Transport Pumping
Authors: He Zhongqian , Yu Huaming , Chen Dongping , Ni Xuyan , Yan Chunshuang , Lv Chade , Chen Yuejiao
Published: March 2024

The potential for scale‐up application has been acknowledged by researchers for rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs). Nonetheless, the progress of the development is significantly impeded due to the instability of the interface between the zinc anode and electrolyte. Herein, efficient and environmentally benign valine (Val) were introduced as aqueous electrolyte additive to stabilize the electrode/electrolyte interface (EEI) via functional groups in additive molecules, thus achieving reversible dendrite‐free zinc anode. The amino groups present in Val molecules have a strong ability to adsorb on the surface of zinc metal, enabling the construction of anchored molecular layer on the surface of zinc anodes. The strongly polar carboxyl groups in Val molecules can act as ion‐transport pumps to capture zinc ions in the electric double layer (EDL) through coordination chemistry. Therefore, this reconstructed EEI could modulate the zinc ion flux and simultaneously suppress side reactions and dendritic growth of Zn. Consequently, a long stable cycling up to 1400 h at a high current density of 20 mA cm−2 is achieved. Additionally, Zn//V2O5 full cell with Val additive exhibit enhanced cyclability, retaining 77 % capacity after 3000 cycles, displaying significant potential in promoting the commercialization of ZIBs.
Genetically Fusing Order‐Promoting and Thermoresponsive Building Blocks to Design Hybrid Biomaterials
Authors: Patkar Sai S. , Wang Bin , Mosquera Ana Maria , Kiick Kristi L.
Published: March 2024

The unique biophysical and biochemical properties of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and their recombinant derivatives, intrinsically disordered protein polymers (IDPPs) offer opportunities for producing multistimuli‐responsive materials; their sequence‐encoded disorder and tendency for phase separation facilitate the development of multifunctional materials. This review highlights the strategies for enhancing the structural diversity of elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs) and resilin‐like polypeptides (RLPs), and their self‐assembled structures via genetic fusion to ordered motifs such as helical or beta sheet domains. In particular, this review describes approaches that harness the synergistic interplay between order‐promoting and thermoresponsive building blocks to design hybrid biomaterials, resulting in well‐structured, stimuli‐responsive supramolecular materials ordered on the nanoscale.
Study of color degradation in package prints: Analyzing kinetics with principal component analysis
Authors: Das Anirban , Mandal Mahasweta
Published: March 2024

Color degradation is a pressing issue in various fields like food and medicine packaging, as well as printed materials, leading to a loss or distortion of vital information. Therefore, understanding how the color of package prints evolves over time is essential for product quality assessment and effective product life cycle management. This study focuses on investigating color changes in prints on blister foils, widely used in the medicine and packaging industries. To assess fading characteristics, samples printed via the gravure process have been exposed to a Xenon Test Chamber (B‐SUN). Spectrophotometric measurements of the prints have been conducted using a spectroradiometer, and the data have been analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The fading nature of cyan and black prints aligns with Type IV, while magenta and yellow prints correspond to Type II, as described by Giles. Notably, cyan and black inks demonstrated resistance toward fading at the end of the exposure, with a minor exception. The investigation involved curve fitting, revealing a consistent first‐order kinetic model governing fading rates throughout the exposure time. High R2 values (0.96–0.99) and low root means square error values (0.02–0.08) are observed across all cases. While color fading involves diverse kinetics, the fading rate consistently adheres to a singular first‐order kinetic path. The study highlights that yellow ink is most sensitive to light, followed by magenta ink. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing packaging materials and ensuring product quality in industries reliant on printed materials. By mitigating color degradation, manufacturers can enhance the longevity and appeal of their products, reinforcing consumer trust and satisfaction. Furthermore, the effective utilization of PCA as a data analysis tool offers a valuable approach for future investigations in color science and related fields.
Highly Specific Sulfadiazine Detection Using a Two‐Dimensional Europium‐Organic Coordination Polymer
Authors: Min Hui , Zhu Zhuo‐hang , Min Yu‐jiao , Yao Binling , Cheng Peng
Published: March 2024

Sulfadiazine (SFZ) is an inexpensive large‐consumption antibiotic used for treat bacterial infections but an excess of residues in food can be harmful. Fast and specific luminescence detection of SFZ is highly challenging because of the interference of structurally similar antibiotics. In this work, we develop a two‐dimensional europium‐organic coordination polymer with excellent luminescence and water stability for highly specific detection of SFZ in the range of 0–0.2 mM. Structural analysis shows that the high stability of coordination polymer is due to the high coordination number of europium ion and the special chelating coordination structure of ligand. The experiment results revealed that the high selectivity and effectively luminescence quenched behaviour of coordination polymer toward SFZ is caused by highly efficient inner filter effect.
Can heterogeneous media attention invigorate green technological innovation: A moderating role of chief executive officer narcissism
Authors: Yang Hailan , Shi Xiangjiao , Shah Syed Ghulam Meran
Published: March 2024

The current study contemplates the mechanism of heterogeneous media attention affecting green technological innovation (GTI) amid moderation of chief executive officer (CEO) narcissism. Based on the accumulated data of 1545 listed Chinese firms over the period from 2014 to 2018, we have demonstrated that media attention imposes a significant positive effect on GTI; the negative coverage is greater than positive media coverage in effecting GTI whereas CEO narcissism positively moderates the effect of media attention on GTI. The results also show the regional media coverage is greater than national media coverage in effecting GTI, while the CEO narcissism more strongly moderates the effect of negative coverage on GTI and the effect of regional media coverage on GTI. This study provides new insights into the existing literature by deconstructing media attention and enriches the studies in the context of media attention‐GTI relationship from a point of view of the particular personality trait of a CEO.
Quantifying the probability of a successful marine bioinvasion due to source‐destination risk factors
Authors: Tzeng Mimi W. , Floerl Lisa , Schattschneider Jessica , Floerl Oliver , Jeffs Andrew , Zaiko Anastasija
Published: March 2024

The increasing spread of marine non‐indigenous species (NIS) due to the growth in global shipping traffic is causing widespread concern for the ecological and economic impacts of marine bioinvasions. Risk management authorities need tools to identify pathways and source regions of priority concern to better target efforts for preventing NIS introduction. The probability of a successful NIS introduction is affected by the likelihood that a marine species entrained in a transport vector will survive the voyage between origin and destination locations and establish an independently reproducing population at the destination. Three important risk factors are voyage duration, range of environmental conditions encountered during transit and environmental similarity between origin and destination. In this study, we aimed for a globally comprehensive approach to assembling quantifications of source‐destination risk factors from every potential origin to every potential destination. To derive estimates of voyage‐related marine biosecurity risk, we used computer‐simulated vessel paths between pairs of ecoprovinces in the Marine Ecoregions Of the World biogeographic classification system. We used the physical length of each path to calculate voyage duration risk and the cross‐latitudinal extent of the path to calculate voyage path risk. Environmental similarity risk was based on comparing annual average sea surface temperature and salinity within each ecoprovince to those of other ecoprovinces. We derived three separate sets of risk quantifications, one each for voyage duration, voyage path and environmental similarity. Our quantifications can be applied to studies that require source‐destination risk estimates. They can be used separately or combined, depending on the importance of the types of source‐destination risks that might be relevant to particular scientific or risk management questions or applications.
An improved custom convolutional neural network based hand sign recognition using machine learning algorithm
Authors: Moon Pradnya , Yenurkar Ganesh , Nyangaresi Vincent O. , Raut Ayush , Dapkekar Nikhil , Rathod Jay , Dabare Piyush
Published: March 2024

The biggest challenge the deaf and dumb group faces is that individuals around them do not understand sign language, which they use to communicate with one another. Written communication is slower than face‐to‐face contact, despite the fact that it can be used. Many sign languages have been developed around the world because they are more effective in emergency situations than text‐based communication. India in‐spite of having the large deaf population of almost 18 million and having only around 250 trained/untrained; skilled interpreters. The proposed system can utilize a custom convolution neural networks (CCNNs) model to identify hand motions in order to resolve this issue. This system uses a filter to process the hand before sending it through a classifier to identify the type of hand movements. CCNN strategy employs two levels of algorithm to predict and evaluate symbols that are increasingly similar to one another in order to get as close to precisely recognizing the symbol presented as possible. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are able to precisely identify a variety of gestures after being trained on large datasets of hand sign photographs. As a result of their frequent usage of many layers of filters and pooling to extract relevant information from the input images, these networks can recognize hand signs with an accuracy rate of 99.95%, which is much greater than previously built models like SIGNGRAPH, SVM, KNN, CNN + Bi‐LSTM, 3D‐CNN and 2D CNN network and 1D CNN skeleton network. The simulation result shows that a suggested CCNN‐based learning approach is useful for hand sign detection and future usage research when compared with existing machine learning models.
An optimized transform and quantization scheme for HEVC intra lossless coding
Authors: Liu Xiaojie , Yan Linqi , Zhang Yang , Ren Gang , Zhu Mingdong
Published: March 2024

The lossless coding framework of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) comprises prediction and entropy coding, while omitting the transform process. However, residuals derived from prediction continue to demonstrate significant spatial redundancy, which has the potential to compromise the coding efficiency. This article presents an optimized scheme for HEVC intra lossless coding that integrates transform and quantization. In the proposed scheme, a residual block, generated by HEVC, is partitioned into two components: the coefficient block and the error block. The coefficient block, responsible for lossless coding, is obtained through the adoption of the transform and quantization processes employed in HEVC lossy coding. Subsequently, the error block is derived by predicting the residual block using the generated coefficient block. Both the coefficient block and the error block can be effectively encoded utilizing the existing entropy coding scheme in HEVC lossy coding. Rate‐distortion optimization is employed to determine whether the residual block will be partitioned into two components. The proposed scheme is implemented into the HM 12.1 software. Through the utilization of the discrete cosine transform kernel and the discrete sine transform kernel, with a quantization parameter set to 20, on HEVC standard test sequences and the all intra main configuration file, empirical findings substantiate that the proposed methodology attains an average bit‐rate reduction of 3.31%, with a maximum improvement of 12.29% in comparison to HEVC lossless coding.
Rates and correlates of study enrolment and use of a chatbot aimed to promote mental health services use for eating disorders following online screening
Authors: D’Adamo Laura , Grammer Anne Claire , Rackoff Gavin N. , Shah Jillian , Firebaugh Marie‐Laure , Taylor C. Barr , Wilfley Denise E. , Fitzsimmons‐Craft Ellen E.
Published: March 2024

Objective

We developed a chatbot aimed to facilitate mental health services use for eating disorders (EDs) and offered the opportunity to enrol in a research study and use the chatbot to all adult respondents to a publicly available online ED screen who screened positive for clinical/subclinical EDs and reported not currently being in treatment. We examined the rates and correlates of enrolment in the study and uptake of the chatbot.

Method

Following screening, eligible respondents (≥18 years, screened positive for a clinical/subclinical ED, not in treatment for an ED) were shown the study opportunity. Chi‐square tests and logistic regressions explored differences in demographics, ED symptoms, suicidality, weight, and probable ED diagnoses between those who enroled and engaged with the chatbot versus those who did not.

Results

6747 respondents were shown the opportunity (80.0% of all adult screens). 3.0% enroled, of whom 90.2% subsequently used the chatbot. Enrolment and chatbot uptake were more common among respondents aged ≥25 years old versus those aged 18–24 and less common among respondents who reported engaging in regular dietary restriction.

Conclusions

Overall enrolment was low, yet uptake was high among those that enroled and did not differ across most demographics and symptom presentations. Future directions include evaluating respondents' attitudes towards treatment‐promoting tools and removing barriers to uptake.
Effects of enzymatic hydrolysis technology on the physicochemical properties and biological activities of American ginseng beverages
Authors: Guo Shengyuan , Hu Yichen , Zhao Chaofan , Li Yajie , Zhang Zhuo , Wang Wenting , Bai Yu , Zhou Jiankang , Xue Yajie , Zou Liang , Ren Guixing
Published: March 2024

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) contains various biological macromolecules, such as polysaccharides, saponins, and proteins, which have various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. Consequently, the utilization of novel processing technologies developed an American ginseng beverage to meet people's health needs and the preferences of young people. This study was the first to use American ginseng as a primary raw material, utilizing a three‐step enzymatic hydrolysis approach with cellulase, pectinase, amylase, maltase, and flavor protease enzymes to prepare an American ginseng beverage. The basic nutritional and active ingredient contents of the product were determined. The antioxidant activity of enzymatic beverages was evaluated by calculating the free radical clearance rates of DPPH and ABTS, and the effect of enzymatic beverages on α‐glucosidase activity was also tested. The anti‐inflammatory activity of RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS was evaluated by measuring the production of NO, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 during the enzymatic hydrolysis process. The results indicated that the nutritional components of American ginseng beverage products met the beverage industry standards. Moreover, the application of enzymatic hydrolysis technology had improved the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of American ginseng beverages. In addition, the enzymatic beverage of American ginseng exhibited certain hypoglycemic activity. Consequently, the established enzymatic hydrolysis technology provided a reference for the production of other beverage products.