bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Population Structure of African Cultivated Rice Oryza glaberrima (Steud.)
Authors: Semon Mande , Nielsen Rasmus , Jones Monty P , McCouch Susan R
Published: November 2004

Genome-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) was investigated for 198 accessions of Oryza glaberrima using 93 nuclear microsatellite markers. Significantly elevated levels of LD were detected, even among distantly located markers. Free recombination among loci at the population genetic level was shown (1) by a lack of decay in LD among markers on the same chromosome and (2) by a strictly increasing composite likelihood function for the recombination parameter. This suggested that the elevation in LD was due not to physical linkage but to other factors, such as population structure. A Bayesian clustering analysis confirmed this hypothesis, indicating that the sample of O. glaberrima in this study was subdivided into at least five cryptic subpopulations. Two of these subpopulations clustered with control samples of O. sativa, subspecies indica and japonica, indicating that some O. glaberrima accessions represent admixtures. The remaining three O. glaberrima subpopulations were significantly associated with specific combinations of phenotypic traits—possibly reflecting ecological adaptation to different growing environments.
Lig4 and Rad54 Are Required for Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks Induced by P-Element Excision in DrosophilaThis article is dedicated to the memory of our colleague and friend Dr. Jan C. J. Eeken, who died unexpectedly on May 24, 2002.
Authors: Romeijn Ron J , Gorski Marcin M , van Schie Martijn A , Noordermeer Jasprina N , Mullenders Leon H , Ferro Wouter , Pastink Albert
Published: November 2004

Site-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) were generated in the white gene located on the X chromosome of Drosophila by excision of the whd P-element. To investigate the role of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) in the repair of these breaks, the whd P-element was mobilized in flies carrying mutant alleles of either lig4 or rad54. The survival of both lig4- and rad54-deficient males was reduced to 25% in comparison to the wild type, indicating that both NHEJ and HR are involved in the repair P-induced gaps in males. Survival of lig4-deficient females was not affected at all, implying that HR using the homologous chromosome as a template can partially compensate for the impaired NHEJ pathway. In rad54 mutant females survival was reduced to 70% after whd excision. PCR analysis indicated that the undamaged homologous chromosome may compensate for the potential loss of the broken chromosome in rad54 mutant females after excision. Molecular analysis of the repair junctions revealed microhomology (2–8 bp)-dependent DSB repair in most products. In the absence of Lig4, the 8-bp target site duplication is used more frequently for repair. Our data indicate the presence of efficient alternative end-joining mechanisms, which partly depend on the presence of microhomology but do not require Lig4.
Interaction Between the oxa1 and rmp1 Genes Modulates Respiratory Complex Assembly and Life Span in Podospora anserina
Authors: Sellem Carole H , Lemaire Claire , Lorin Séverine , Dujardin Geneviève , Sainsard-Chanet Annie
Published: November 2004

A causal link between deficiency of the cytochrome respiratory pathway and life span was previously shown in the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina. To gain more insight into the relationship between mitochondrial function and life span, we have constructed a strain carrying a thermosensitive mutation of the gene oxa1. OXA1 is a membrane protein conserved from bacteria to human. The mitochondrial OXA1 protein is involved in the assembly/insertion of several respiratory complexes. We show here that oxa1 is an essential gene in P. anserina. The oxa1ts mutant exhibits severe defects in the respiratory complexes I and IV, which are correlated with an increased life span, a strong induction of the alternative oxidase, and a reduction in ROS production. However, there is no causal link between alternative oxidase level and life span. We also show that in the oxa1ts mutant, the extent of the defects in complexes I and IV and the life-span increase depends on the essential gene rmp1. The RMP1 protein, whose function is still unknown, can be localized in the mitochondria and/or the cytosolic compartment, depending on the developmental stage. We propose that the RMP1 protein could be involved in the process of OXA1-dependent protein insertion.
The Genomes of Recombinant Inbred Lines
Authors: Broman Karl W
Published: November 2004

Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) can serve as powerful tools for genetic mapping. Recently, members of the Complex Trait Consortium proposed the development of a large panel of eight-way RILs in the mouse, derived from eight genetically diverse parental strains. Such a panel would be a valuable community resource. The use of such eight-way RILs will require a detailed understanding of the relationship between alleles at linked loci on an RI chromosome. We extend the work of Haldane and Waddington on two-way RILs and describe the map expansion, clustering of breakpoints, and other features of the genomes of multiple-strain RILs as a function of the level of crossover interference in meiosis.
RNA Silencing in Aspergillus nidulans Is Independent of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases
Authors: Hammond T M , Keller N P
Published: November 2004

The versatility of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRPs) in eukaryotic gene silencing is perhaps best illustrated in the kingdom Fungi. Biochemical and genetic studies of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Neurospora crassa show that these types of enzymes are involved in a number of fundamental gene-silencing processes, including heterochromatin regulation and RNA silencing in S. pombe and meiotic silencing and RNA silencing in N. crassa. Here we show that Aspergillus nidulans, another model fungus, does not require an RDRP for inverted repeat transgene (IRT)-induced RNA silencing. However, RDRP requirements may vary within the Aspergillus genus as genomic analysis indicates that A. nidulans, but not A. fumigatus or A. oryzae, has lost a QDE-1 ortholog, an RDRP associated with RNA silencing in N. crassa. We also provide evidence suggesting that 5′ → 3′ transitive RNA silencing is not a significant aspect of A. nidulans IRT-RNA silencing. These results indicate a lack of conserved kingdom-wide requirements for RDRPs in fungal RNA silencing.
An Active Transposable Element, Herves, From the African Malaria Mosquito Anopheles gambiaeSequence data from this article have been deposited with the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession no. AY462096.
Authors: Arensburger Peter , Kim Yu-Jung , Orsetti Jamison , Aluvihare Channa , O'Brochta David A , Atkinson Peter W
Published: November 2004

Transposable elements have proven to be invaluable tools for genetically manipulating a wide variety of plants, animals, and microbes. Some have suggested that they could be used to spread desirable genes, such as refractoriness to Plasmodium infection, through target populations of Anopheles gambiae, thereby disabling the mosquito's ability to transmit malaria. To achieve this, a transposon must remain mobile and intact after the initial introduction into the genome. Endogenous, active class II transposable elements from An. gambiae have not been exploited as gene vectors/drivers because none have been isolated. We report the discovery of an active class II transposable element, Herves, from the mosquito An. gambiae. Herves is a member of a distinct subfamily of hAT elements that includes the hopper-we element from Bactrocera dorsalis and B. cucurbitae. Herves was transpositionally active in mobility assays performed in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells and developing embryos and was used as a germ-line transformation vector in D. melanogaster. Herves displays an altered target-site preference from the distantly related hAT elements, Hermes and hobo. Herves is also present in An. arabiensis and An. merus with copy numbers similar to that found in An. gambiae. Preliminary data from an East African population are consistent with the element being transpositionally active in mosquitoes.
Transient Monocular Blindness in a Man in His 30s
Authors: Antonelli Jérôme , Verhoye Jean-Philippe , Martins Raphaël P.
Published: February 2024

This case report discusses a diagnosis of giant ascending aortic aneurysm in a patient who presented with transient monocular blindness and no cardiovascular symptoms.
Support Group Participation Among Patients With Alopecia Areata
Authors: Haughton Reneé , Herbert Samantha , Meyer Summer , Kam Olivia , Maverakis Emanual , Kiuru Maija
Published: February 2024

This cross-sectional study describes support group use and experience among patients with alopecia areata.
Traditional Atlantic Diet and Its Effect on Health and the Environment
Authors: Cambeses-Franco Cristina , Gude Francisco , Benítez-Estévez Alfonso J. , González-García Sara , Leis Rosaura , Sánchez-Castro Juan , Moreira María Teresa , Feijoo Gumersindo , Calvo-Malvar Mar
Published: February 2024

Importance

The universal call to action for healthier and more sustainable dietary choices is the framework of the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Atlantic diet, originating from the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, represents an example of a traditional diet that aligns with these principles.

Objective

To explore a 6-month intervention based on the Atlantic diet’s effects on metabolic and environmental health, assessing metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence and the carbon footprint.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Galician Atlantic Diet study was a 6-month randomized clinical trial designed to assess the effects of this regional traditional diet on families’ eating habits. The study was conducted from March 3, 2014, to May 29, 2015, at a local primary health care center in the rural town of A Estrada in northwestern Spain and involved a multisectoral collaboration. Families were randomly selected from National Health System records and randomized 1:1 to an intervention or control group. This secondary analysis of the trial findings was performed between March 24, 2021, and November 7, 2023.

Interventions

Over 6 months, families in the intervention group received educational sessions, cooking classes, written supporting material, and foods characteristic of the Atlantic diet, whereas those randomized to the control group continued with their habitual lifestyle.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were MetS incidence, defined per National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, and carbon footprint emissions as an environmental metric using life cycle assessment with daily dietary intake as the functional unit.

Results

Initially, 250 families were randomized (574 participants; mean [SD] age, 46.8 [15.7] years; 231 males [40.2%] and 343 females [59.8%]). The intervention group included 126 families (287 participants) and the control group, 124 families (287 participants). Ultimately, 231 families completed the trial. The intervention significantly reduced the risk of incident cases of MetS (rate ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13-0.79) and had fewer MetS components (proportional odds ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42-0.82) compared with the control condition. The intervention group did not have a significantly reduced environmental impact in terms of carbon footprint emissions compared with the control group (−0.17 [95% CI, −0.46 to 0.12] kg CO2 equivalents/person/d).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings provide important evidence that a family-focused dietary intervention based on a traditional diet can reduce the risk of incident MetS. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and determine the generalizability to other populations, taking into account regional cultural and dietary variations.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02391701
Machine Learning Models for Predicting Disability and Pain Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery
Authors: Berg Bjørnar , Gorosito Martin A. , Fjeld Olaf , Haugerud Hårek , Storheim Kjersti , Solberg Tore K. , Grotle Margreth
Published: February 2024

Importance

Lumber disc herniation surgery can reduce pain and disability. However, a sizable minority of individuals experience minimal benefit, necessitating the development of accurate prediction models.

Objective

To develop and validate prediction models for disability and pain 12 months after lumbar disc herniation surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A prospective, multicenter, registry-based prognostic study was conducted on a cohort of individuals undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery from January 1, 2007, to May 31, 2021. Patients in the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery from all public and private hospitals in Norway performing spine surgery were included. Data analysis was performed from January to June 2023.

Exposures

Microdiscectomy or open discectomy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Treatment success at 12 months, defined as improvement in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) of 22 points or more; Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) back pain improvement of 2 or more points, and NRS leg pain improvement of 4 or more points. Machine learning models were trained for model development and internal-external cross-validation applied over geographic regions to validate the models. Model performance was assessed through discrimination (Cstatistic) and calibration (slope and intercept).

Results

Analysis included 22 707 surgical cases (21 161 patients) (ODI model) (mean [SD] age, 47.0 [14.0] years; 12 952 [57.0%] males). Treatment nonsuccess was experienced by 33% (ODI), 27% (NRS back pain), and 31% (NRS leg pain) of the patients. In internal-external cross-validation, the selected machine learning models showed consistent discrimination and calibration across all 5 regions. TheCstatistic ranged from 0.81 to 0.84 (pooled random-effects meta-analysis estimate, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.84) for the ODI model. Calibration slopes (point estimates, 0.94-1.03; pooled estimate, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.93-1.06) and calibration intercepts (point estimates, −0.05 to 0.11; pooled estimate, 0.01; 95% CI, −0.07 to 0.10) were also consistent across regions. For NRS back pain, theCstatistic ranged from 0.75 to 0.80 (pooled estimate, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.79); for NRS leg pain, theCstatistic ranged from 0.74 to 0.77 (pooled estimate, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.74-0.76). Only minor heterogeneity was found in calibration slopes and intercepts.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that the models developed can inform patients and clinicians about individual prognosis and aid in surgical decision-making.
Presentation Acuity and Surgical Outcomes for Patients With Health Insurance Living in Highly Deprived Neighborhoods
Authors: Schmidt Susanne , Jacobs Michael A. , Kim Jeongsoo , Hall Daniel E. , Stitzenberg Karyn B. , Kao Lillian S. , Brimhall Bradley B. , Wang Chen-Pin , Manuel Laura S. , Su Hoah-Der , Silverstein Jonathan C. , Shireman Paula K.
Published: February 2024

Importance

Insurance coverage expansion has been proposed as a solution to improving health disparities, but insurance expansion alone may be insufficient to alleviate care access barriers.

Objective

To assess the association of Area Deprivation Index (ADI) with postsurgical textbook outcomes (TO) and presentation acuity for individuals with private insurance or Medicare.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2013-2019) merged with electronic health record data from 3 academic health care systems. Data were analyzed from June 2022 to August 2023.

Exposure

Living in a neighborhood with an ADI greater than 85.

Main Outcomes and Measures

TO, defined as absence of unplanned reoperations, Clavien-Dindo grade 4 complications, mortality, emergency department visits/observation stays, and readmissions, and presentation acuity, defined as having preoperative acute serious conditions (PASC) and urgent or emergent cases.

Results

Among a cohort of 29 924 patients, the mean (SD) age was 60.6 (15.6) years; 16 424 (54.9%) were female, and 13 500 (45.1) were male. A total of 14 306 patients had private insurance and 15 618 had Medicare. Patients in highly deprived neighborhoods (5536 patients [18.5%]), with an ADI greater than 85, had lower/worse odds of TO in both the private insurance group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76-0.99; P = .04) and Medicare group (aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-1.00; P = .04) and higher odds of PASC and urgent or emergent cases. The association of ADIs greater than 85 with TO lost significance after adjusting for PASC and urgent/emergent cases. Differences in the probability of TO between the lowest-risk (ADI ≤85, no PASC, and elective surgery) and highest-risk (ADI >85, PASC, and urgent/emergent surgery) scenarios stratified by frailty were highest for very frail patients (Risk Analysis Index ≥40) with differences of 40.2% and 43.1% for those with private insurance and Medicare, respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that patients living in highly deprived neighborhoods had lower/worse odds of TO and higher presentation acuity despite having private insurance or Medicare. These findings suggest that insurance coverage expansion alone is insufficient to overcome health care disparities, possibly due to persistent barriers to preventive care and other complex causes of health inequities.
Efficient Preparation of Biomass‐Based Ultra‐Thin 2D Porous Carbon Materials by In Situ Template‐Activation And Its Application in Sodium Ion Capacitors
Authors: Yang Zijian , Liu Xiaohao , Ma Xiaotong , Cao Taoding , Xu Jiawei , Feng Hao , Diao Rui , Qi Fenglei , Huang Haijian , Ma Peiyong
Published: February 2024

2D porous carbon materials have demonstrated immense potential in electrochemical energy storage, whereas the challenge of achieving their efficient preparation remains substantial. Herein, 2D carbon materials with high specific surface area (SSA), well‐developed porous structures, and controllable carbon layer thickness are successfully prepared by direct co‐pyrolysis of agroforestry biomass with potassium oxalate. It is found that the potassium oxalate acts as reactant and its decomposition product potassium carbonate acts as in situ template and activator. The potassium carbonate in the core activates the outer carbon structure to form nanopores, and regulates the thickness and the graphitization degree of the carbon material. Moreover, the N‐doping strategy seriously affects the structure of the materials. CSAN‐800 prepared with 0.2 vol.% NH3 addition can achieve N doping and SSA improvement (1802 m2 g−1) without damaging the ultra‐thin 2D structure. As a cathode material of sodium ion capacitors, CSAN‐800 exhibits excellent electrochemical with particularly a high‐capacity retention (90.3%) achieved (0.1 A g−1–2 A g−1). The 2D porous structure, high SSA, and rich pyridine‐N content significantly enhance the ion transport, storage, and optimize the charge carrier's adsorption and desorption. This study provides a low‐cost and eco‐friendly preparation strategy for ultra‐thin 2D porous carbon materials.
A Comprehensive, Multidimensional First‐Principles Model for Free‐Radical Photopolymerizations in Bulk and Thin Films
Authors: Dobson Adam L. , Bowman Christopher N.
Published: February 2024

Decades of advances in understanding and simulating the polymerization kinetics and structural evolution that arises in free‐radical photopolymerizations of multifunctional monomers are combined into a single, first‐principles 3D model. The model explicitly accounts for polymerization features including diffusion‐controlled kinetics, oxygen inhibition, light attenuation, chain‐length dependent termination, reaction‐diffusion termination, heat transfer, composition and conversion‐dependent material properties, crosslinking effects, and species diffusion. Using the homopolymerization of 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate as a model system, a minimum of two kinetics experiments performed at different initiation rates are required to fit model parameters. The model accurately predicts known relationships regarding oxygen inhibition, light intensity, and curing temperature for samples of different geometries and boundary conditions. The emphasis of the results herein is placed on the interactions between polymerization features, motivating the importance of a model that accommodates these features all in one simulation. The model is shown to be robust in its handling of thermal boundary conditions, alternative polymerization techniques or mechanisms, and characteristics of 3D voxel formation. The model in this work provides a useful tool for property prediction in a wide variety of applications, most notably coatings, dental materials, industrial photocuring processes, additive manufacturing, and holography, where complex interactions of the various features of polymerization play a substantial role.
Polymorphic Kondo Effects Driven by Spin Lattice Coupling in VTe2
Authors: Won Dongyeun , Kiem Do Hoon , Cho Woohyun , Yang Sang‐Hyeok , Kim Young‐Hoon , Kim Young‐Min , Cho Suyeon , Han Myung Joon , Yang Heejun
Published: February 2024

Polymorphism in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) allows unique physical properties to be controlled, such as artificial heavy fermion phenomena, the quantum spin Hall effect, and optimized device operations with 2D materials. Besides lattice structural and metal‐semiconductor polymorphs, intriguing charge density wave (CDW) states with different electronic and magnetic phases are demonstrated in TMDs. Typically, the “normal” state is stabilized at high temperature above the CDW energy scale, and therefore, is not relevant to many low‐temperature quantum phenomena, such as magnetic ordering and the heavy fermion Kondo state. Here, a local and robust phase manipulation of the normal (1T) and CDW (1T’) states of VTe2 is reported by laser irradiation, and polymorphic Kondo effects are demonstrated with the two phases at low temperatures. The theoretical calculations show that Kondo screening of vanadium 3d electron moments is markedly enhanced in 1T’‐VTe2, which is responsible for the observed transport properties distinct from its 1T counterpart. Controlling the spin‐lattice coupling and Kondo physics via laser‐driven CDW phase patterning allows the design of correlated electronic and magnetic properties in TMDs.
Amorphous Cellulose Electrolyte for Long Life and Mechanically Robust Aqueous Structural Batteries
Authors: Lim Gwendolyn J.H. , Koh J. Justin , Chan Kwok Kiong , Verma Vivek , Chua Rodney , Koh Xue Qi , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Sutrisnoh Nur Ayu Afira , Srinivasan Madhavi
Published: February 2024

Aqueous zinc (Zn)‐based structural batteries capable of both electrochemical energy storage and mechanical load‐bearing capabilities are attractive for next‐generation energy storage for future electric vehicles due to their eco‐friendliness, non‐toxic, and safe nature. However, parasitic free water activities plague aqueous Zn‐based batteries, detrimental to the electrochemical performance and longevity of the cell. Developing polymer gel electrolytes is a notable potential solution, but they usually have poor electrode interfacial interactions and inadequate mechanical properties. This article introduces a novel non‐fibrous highly amorphous cellulose polymer electrolyte “Cellyte” for aqueous structural Zn‐based batteries. Cellyte exhibits a high strength of ≈24 MPa and Young's modulus of ≈380 MPa, along with the ability to suppress parasitic water activity. The symmetric Zn||Cellyte||Zn cell therefore demonstrates excellent cycling stability of over ≈3000 h. Cellyte can also serve as the binder for the structural cathode material, creating a continuous polymer electrolyte–cathode interface, thereby increasing mechanical robustness and decreasing interfacial resistances of the battery, allowing the structural Zn||Cellyte||LMO‐CF battery to achieve high electrochemical performance with excellent cycling stability over 1200 h with ≈91.5% capacity retention. This provides a pathway to design mechanically robust, electrochemically performing, and safe structural batteries.
High Temperature Resistant Solar‐Blind Ultraviolet Photosensor for Neuromorphic Computing and Cryptography
Authors: Chen Yancheng , Li Ying , Niu Shifeng , Yang Xun , Dou Wenjie , Shan Chongxin , Shen Guozhen
Published: February 2024

High‐temperature resistant solar‐blind optoelectronic synapse has a significant demand such as aerospace and fire warning, which integrates sensing and processing functions to realize complex functions like learning, recognition, and memory. However, developing such device remains a tremendous challenge. Herein, a two‐terminal GaOX solar‐blind optoelectronic synapse with high‐temperature working ability is proposed, and it is applied to neuromorphic computing and cryptography. Benefiting from the high internal gain, the device can detect the light intensity of nW cm−2, displaying one of the best figures‐of‐merit in solar‐blind photodetectors. Furthermore, the device possesses remarkable image sensing and memorization ability because of its ultrasensitive light detection ability and prominent synapse performance resulting from large charge trapping states density. Simultaneously, the device shows undamped photodetection and synaptic performances even at 610 K, reflecting a high‐temperature endurance and a desired property for practical applications under harsh environment. Moreover, by constructing an artificial neural network, high‐precision recognition of handwritten digits are realized under 610 K. A photosynaptic array with 12 × 12 pixels is constructed, and it is applied in cryptography that enables simultaneous sensing and encryption in the same devices. This work is expected to drive the progress of Ga2O3 in harsh environment.
Flexible Polymer Electrodes for Stable Prosthetic Visual Perception in Mice
Authors: Orlemann Corinne , Boehler Christian , Kooijmans Roxana N. , Li Bingshuo , Asplund Maria , Roelfsema Pieter R.
Published: February 2024

Brain interfaces that can stimulate neurons, cause minimal damage, and work for a long time will be central for future neuroprosthetics. Here, the long‐term performance of highly flexible, thin polyimide shanks with several small (<15 µm) electrodes during electrical microstimulation of the visual cortex, is reported. The electrodes exhibit a remarkable stability when several billions of electrical pulses are applied in vitro. When the devices are implanted in the primary visual cortex (area V1) of mice and the animals are trained to detect electrical microstimulation, it is found that the perceptual thresholds are 2–20 microamperes (µA), which is far below the maximal currents that the electrodes can withstand. The long‐term functionality of the devices in vivo is excellent, with stable performance for up to more than a year and little damage to the brain tissue. These results demonstrate the potential of thin floating electrodes for the long‐term restoration of lost sensory functions.
Boosting Checkpoint Immunotherapy with Biomimetic Nanodrug Delivery Systems
Authors: Chen Wenjing , Tang Chenlu , Chen Guijin , Li Jiale , Li Nengjin , Zhang Hanwen , Di Liuqing , Wang Ruoning
Published: February 2024

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has achieved unprecedented progress in tumor immunotherapy by blocking specific immune checkpoint molecules. However, the high biodistribution of the drug prevents it from specifically targeting tumor tissues, leading to immune‐related adverse events. Biomimetic nanodrug delivery systems (BNDSs) readily applicable to ICB therapy have been widely developed at the preclinical stage to avoid immune‐related adverse events. By exploiting or mimicking complex biological structures, the constructed BNDS as a novel drug delivery system has good biocompatibility and certain tumor‐targeting properties. Herein, the latest findings regarding the aforementioned therapies associated with ICB therapy are highlighted. Simultaneously, prospective bioinspired engineering strategies can be designed to overcome the four‐level barriers to drug entry into lesion sites. In future clinical translation, BNDS‐based ICB combination therapy represents a promising avenue for cancer treatment.
Carboxylating Elastomer via Thiol‐Ene Click Reaction to Improve Miscibility with Conjugated Polymers for Mechanically Robust Organic Solar Cells with Efficiency of 19%
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Chen Qiaomei , Li Mengdi , Zhang Guangcong , Zhang Zhou , Deng Xiangmeng , Xue Jingwei , Zhao Chaowei , Xiao Chengyi , Ma Wei , Li Weiwei
Published: February 2024

Incorporating flexible insulating polymers is a straightforward strategy to enhance the mechanical properties of rigid conjugated polymers, enabling their use in flexible electronic devices. However, maintaining electronic characteristics simultaneously is challenging due to the poor miscibility between insulating polymers and conjugated polymers. This study introduces the carboxylation of insulating polymers as an effective strategy to enhance miscibility with conjugated polymers via surface energy modulation and hydrogen bonding. The carboxylated elastomer, synthesized via a thiol‐ene click reaction, closely matches the surface energy of the conjugated polymer. This significantly improves the mechanical properties, achieving a high crack‐onset strain of 21.48%, surpassing that (5.93%) of the unmodified elastomer:conjugated polymer blend. Upon incorporating the carboxylated elastomer into PM6:L8‐BO‐based organic solar cells, an impressive power conversion efficiency of 19.04% is attained, which top‐performs among insulating polymer‐incorporated devices and outperforms devices with unmodified elastomer or neat PM6:L8‐BO. The superior efficiency is attributed to the optimized microstructures and enhanced crystallinity for efficient and balanced charge transport, and suppressed charge recombination. Furthermore, flexible devices with 5% carboxylated elastomer exhibit superior mechanical stability, retaining ≈88.9% of the initial efficiency after 40 000 bending cycles at a 1 mm radius, surpassing ≈83.5% for devices with 5% unmodified elastomer.
Irreversible Ca2B2O5‐Based Multicolor Mechanoluminescence for Security Labels
Authors: Li Xi , Sun Junlu , Huang Wentao , Jiao Fuhang , Deng Yuan , Zhang Wei , Xiao Ying , Shan Chong‐Xin , Dong Lin
Published: February 2024

As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues its pervasive influence and digital technologies increasingly weave into the fabric of daily lives, the imperative for robust security measures becomes paramount to mitigate the escalating risks to the digital landscape. Traditional anti‐counterfeiting technologies, while capable to some extent, are constrained by factors such as material toxicity, low‐security efficacy, and intricate fabrication process. Mechanoluminescent materials have shown great potential in the areas of anti‐counterfeiting and security. Here, a multicolor mechanoluminescent (ML) material (lanthanide doped Ca2B2O5) synthesized by solid‐phase reaction is reported for the first time at a relatively lower temperature of 750 °C. The ML devices are obtained by embedding ML materials into polydimethylsiloxane elastomer, allowing for stress visualization with colors ranging from blue and green to orange and red. Through elaborate co‐doping, successive and accurate stress visualizations are realized. Finally, security labels based on the lanthanide ions doped Ca2B2O5 are prepared and also demonstrated to safeguard valuable packages. This work provides a novel multicolor ML material and pioneers its use in security labels, offering a universal solution for multicolor display, information security, dynamic anti‐counterfeiting, and other potential applications within the realm of IoT.
Synthetic Route to Benzostannoles via Al−Li‐dimetal Intermediate and Their Application to Dibenzofulvene Synthesis
Authors: Kurokawa Rei , Kinoshita Hidenori , Miura Katsukiyo
Published: February 2024

Benzostannoles were synthesized from commercially available and easily accessible substrates. The ring construction proceeds via an Al−Li‐dimetal intermediate generated in situ from 1‐bromo‐2‐(silylethynyl)benzenes. This methodology provided various 2‐silylbenzostannoles in 32% to 97% yields. The benzostannoles obtained were converted into dibenzofulvenes by treatment with 1,2‐dibromobenzenes in the presence of a Pd catalyst. This transformation yielded various types of symmetrical and unsymmetrical dibenzofulvenes, with combination of the benzostannoles and 1,2‐dibromobenzenes.
Ring‐Opening Amino Esterification of Cyclic Ketones to Access Distal Amino Acid Derivatives
Authors: Tomiya Ishin , Wu Yuhao , Hyodo Kengo
Published: February 2024

This study developed a method of synthesizing distal amino acid derivatives by the ring‐opening reaction of cyclic ketones, following the amino esterification functionalization of both terminals. To achieve this goal, we performed the ring‐opening reaction of cyclic ketones with an aminating reagent and alcohol under metal‐ and photocatalysis‐free conditions in a single step. The method directly afforded distal amino acid derivatives bearing C4−C6, C8, and C12 carbon main chains, such as γ, δ, and ϵ‐amino esters. The obtained amino esters were simply transformed into amino acids by hydrolysis.
Base‐Promoted Structural Rearrangement of Ynamide and Simultaneous N‐Desulfonylation
Authors: Reddy Mutra Mohana , Chandana T. L. , Chang Chung‐Wei , Wang Jeh‐Jeng
Published: February 2024

Herein, we describe a base‐promoted regioselective and chemoselective cascade cyclization, ynamide N−Csp bond cleavage, selective intramolecular 1,3‐migration, and simultaneous N‐desulfonylation strategy for the synthesis of 2‐phenyl‐3‐(phenylethynyl)‐1H‐indole derivatives. We observed multiple bond breaking (−N−Ts, and Csp2−Ts, Csp2−I/Csp2−SePh) from (E)‐3‐(1‐iodo‐2‐phenyl‐2‐tosylvinyl)‐2‐phenyl‐1‐tosyl‐indole/(E)‐2‐phenyl‐3‐(2‐phenyl‐1‐(phenylselanyl)‐2‐tosylvinyl)‐1‐tosyl‐indole derivatives to prepare 2‐phenyl‐3‐(phenylethynyl)‐1H‐indole in 15–60 min using our standard reaction conditions. A gram‐scale experiment as well as postsynthetic transformations of the synthesized 2‐phenyl‐3‐(phenylethynyl)‐1H‐indole were performed to exhibit the advantages of this synthetic methodology.
Exploring Spin Dynamics in Diatomic Co2 Catalysts on Graphyne for Enhanced Co Electroreduction
Authors: Zhao Shuang‐Te , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xue‐long , Lin Cun‐biao , Chen Wen‐xian , Zhuang Gui‐lin
Published: February 2024

Investigating spin dynamics in electrocatalysis is crucial for the rational design of magnetically heterogeneous catalysts. Utilizing spin‐polarized density functional theory calculation, herein, the spin dynamic of diatomic Co₂‐supported γ‐graphyne (Co2‐GY) catalysts during the process of CO electroreduction (eCORR) is identified, focusing on the effect of the applied potential and acidity on spin dynamic and catalytic performance. In particular, the obtained Co2‐GY shows a new efficient C2 pathway of CH2* + CHO* coupling mechanism, resulting in the optimal CH3CH2OH product with ∆G of 0.50 eV and the selectivity of 99.99% under alkaline conditions. Under acidic media, Co2‐GY exhibits the optimal C1 product (CH3OH) with ∆G of 0.27 eV and a selectivity of 99.99%. During CO electroreduction, the reaction environment (pH and applied potential) influences spin dynamics in catalyst‐reactant systems, affecting the spin transition of diatomic Co2 active sites among four magnetic states: ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic, and diamagnetic. These findings will be helpful for the rational design of transition‐metal heterogeneous catalysts.
Experimental Investigation of Superconductivity in PdSSe Under High Pressure
Authors: Liu Sirui , Zhao Xingbin , Song Hao , Lv Xindeng , Chen Jiajun , Dan Yaqian , Huang Yanping , Cui Tian
Published: February 2024

Analysis of the superconducting properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) under high pressures offers valuable insights to guide the design and synthesis of high‐performance superconducting materials. Herein, the effect of pressure is investigated on the superconductivity of a typical van der Waals layered TMDs material, PdSSe, by measuring its transport properties. After initially increased pressure, superconductivity emerges at 10.2 GPa, with a critical superconducting temperature (Tc) of ≈5.1 K, accompanied by the diminishing charge density wave (CDW) that is originally strengthening. Then, the Tc gradually increases with increasing pressure, reaching 12.1 K at the maximum pressure. The study provides experimental evidence for the superconductivity of PdSSe, and to the best of the knowledge, this is the first report on the observation of amplified CDW phenomena under increasing pressure in nonmagnetic TMDs. The abnormal enhancement of CDW transition temperature at low pressure is consistent with the upward trend of resistance, which is related to the electron–electron interaction. Moreover, synchrotron X‐ray diffraction experiments reveal two additional structural phase transitions.
New Recipe for Enhancing the Thermoelectric Performance in Topological Materials Carrying Single‐Pair Weyl Points Fermions and Phonons
Authors: Ding Guangqian , Wang Jianhua , Wu Hong , Wang Wenhong , Li Dengfeng , Li Xiao‐Ping , Wang Xiaotian
Published: February 2024

The emergence of various topological semimetal states presents a novel opportunity for enhancing the efficiency of thermoelectric transport. This study introduces a recipe to improve the thermoelectric (TE) performance in topological materials containing single‐pair Weyl points (SP WPs) fermions and phonons. The recipe focuses on two key factors contributing to the enhancement of TE performance: the increase in the density of states to achieve a high power factor, and the introduction of additional phonon scattering to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. The proposed recipe is confirmed in a half‐metallic SP WPs material BaNiIO6 through first‐principles methods. An enhanced density of states arises near the energy of the SP WPs in BaNiIO6, leading to a peak power factor connected to the complex Fermi surface due to the degeneracy of Weyl pockets in energy. Furthermore, it is shown that the SP WPs phonons in BaNiIO6 possess a high scattering rate and can likely contribute to the low lattice thermal conductivity, especially when two crossing points in SP WPs do not degenerate in frequency. The new recipe can be used for discovering high‐performance thermoelectric materials in the future by utilizing the transport advantages of degenerate‐in‐energy SP WPs fermions and non‐degenerate‐in‐frequency SP WPs phonons.
Indirect Liftoff Mechanism for High‐Throughput, Single‐Source Laser Scribing for Perovskite Solar Modules
Authors: Flick Austin C. , Rolston Nicholas , Dauskardt Reinhold H.
Published: February 2024

A high‐throughput, single‐source laser scribing method exploiting a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) indirect liftoff mechanism is developed to produce serially interconnected perovskite solar modules. The TCO‐based indirect liftoff mechanism relies solely on laser absorption in the front transparent electrode material reducing thermal damage to the overlying layers and allowing for fast scribing speeds with low‐cost μs‐pulse duration fiber laser systems. Minimal resistive power losses are observed with the method compared to conventional ablative laser scribes, maintaining the power conversion efficiencies of small‐area devices (≈0.2 cm2) across significantly larger deposition areas (≈1 cm2). Demonstrating > 3 m s−1 processing speeds, TCO‐based liftoff provides the highest throughput laser scribing method for thin‐film photovoltaic devices produced on glass/TCO substrates, capable of processing large‐area perovskite solar modules at a manufacturing scale.
Bulk‐Heterojunction Electrocatalysts in Confined Geometry Boosting Stable, Acid/Alkaline‐Universal Water Electrolysis
Authors: Jang Gyu Yong , Kim Sungsoon , Choi Jinu , Park Jeonghwan , An SiEon , Baek Jihyun , Li Yuzhe , Liu Tae‐Kyung , Kim Eugene , Lee Jung Hwan , Wang Haotian , Kim MinJoong , Cho Hyun‐Seok , Zheng Xiaolin , Yoo Jong Suk , Seo Kwanyong , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: February 2024

Alkaline water splitting electrocatalysts have been studied for decades; however, many difficulties remain for commercialization, such as sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics and poor catalytic stability. Herein, by mimicking the bulk‐heterojunction morphology of conventional organic solar cells, a uniform 10 nm scale nanocube is reported that consists of subnanometer‐scale heterointerfaces between transition metal phosphides and oxides, which serves as an alkaline water splitting electrocatalyst; showing great performance and stability toward HER and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Interestingly, the nanocube electrocatalyst reveals acid/alkaline independency from the synergistic effect of electrochemical HER (cobalt phosphide) and thermochemical water dissociation (cobalt oxide). From the spray coating process, nanocube electrocatalyst spreads uniformly on large scale (≈6.6 × 5.6 cm2) and is applied to alkaline water electrolyzers, stably delivering 600 mA cm−2 current for >100 h. The photovoltaic‐electrochemical (PV‐EC) system, including silicon PV cells, achieves 11.5% solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) efficiency stably for >100 h.
A novel strategy of coupling artificial intelligence with chemical fingerprinting to predict drug phase behaviors in complex systems
Authors: Wang Siqi , Ji Yuanhui
Published: February 2024

With the large‐scale development of drugs, understanding the drug phase behaviors in complex systems becomes more and more important. Among them, the solubility of drugs in biorelevant media needs to be urgently understood. To address this challenge, new strategies based on machine learning models are proposed. First, the strategy trains five machine learning models (extra trees [ET], gradient boosting [GB], k‐nearest neighbors [k‐NN], random forest [RF], and extreme gradient boosting [XGBoost]) based on 15 molecular descriptors of the drug molecular properties. The XGboost model was identified as the best predictive model for predicting drug solubility performance in various solvents. Next, the input feature vectors were expanded for machine learning using the MACCS chemical fingerprint coupled with the XGboost model. The MACCS chemical fingerprint coupled with XGboost model has significantly improved the prediction accuracy of drug solubility. This finding demonstrates that the proposed strategy has solubility prediction capability, which is expected to provide valid information for drug development and drug solvent screening.
Physics‐informed sparse causal inference for source detection of plant‐wide oscillations
Authors: Madhusoodanan Nived , Chiplunkar Ranjith , Puli Vamsi Krishna , Huang Biao
Published: February 2024

Identification of the source of plantwide oscillations is a challenging problem, even with the availability of big data. Causality analysis is often used to construct causal maps and obtain a sequence of fault propagation for an in‐depth investigation. The reliability of the widely used Granger causality depends on the quality of the observed data. But since real‐world industrial data are prone to sensor errors, their accuracy is significantly compromised. Experienced engineers possess years of valuable process knowledge which when introduced into the modeling can significantly reduce the over‐dependence on data. In this article, we propose a novel approach to efficiently amalgamate expert information with the observed data to reconstruct causal maps. A new surrogate‐data‐based approach to test the significance of the causal relations obtained for oscillatory data is also proposed in this article. The efficiency of the proposed methodology is demonstrated using a simulation and an industrial case study.
Utility of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for adult Ph+ALL with complete molecular remission
Authors: Nishiwaki Satoshi , Sugiura Isamu , Fujisawa Shin , Hatta Yoshihiro , Atsuta Yoshiko , Doki Noriko , Kurahashi Shingo , Ueda Yasunori , Dobashi Nobuaki , Maeda Tomoya , Matsumura Itaru , Tanaka Masatsugu , Kako Shinichi , Ichinohe Tatsuo , Fukuda Takahiro , Ohtake Shigeki , Ishikawa Yuichi , Miyazaki Yasushi , Kiyoi Hitoshi ,   Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) for Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL) in the first complete remission (CR1) with complete molecular remission (CMR). We compared the outcomes between Ph+ALL patients who did or did not undergo allo‐SCT in CR1. We included patients enrolled in the prospective clinical studies in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era conducted by the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group, who achieved CMR within 3 months. A total of 147 patients (allo‐SCT: 101; non‐SCT: 46) were eligible for this analysis. In the multivariate analyses, allo‐SCT was significantly associated with both superior overall survival (OS) (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30–0.97; p = .04) and relapse‐free survival (RFS) (aHR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.12–0.38; p < .001). The 5‐year adjusted OS and RFS were 73% and 70% in the allo‐SCT cohort, whereas they were 50% and 20% in the non‐SCT cohort. Despite the higher non‐relapse mortality (aHR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.17–10.4; p = .03), allo‐SCT was significantly associated with a lower relapse rate (aHR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.05–0.20; p < .001). In addition, allo‐SCT was also associated with superior graft‐versus‐host disease‐free, relapse‐free survival (aHR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25–0.74; p = .002). Propensity score‐matched analyses confirmed the results of the multivariate analyses. In patients who achieved CMR within 3 months, allo‐SCT in CR1 had superior survival and lower relapse compared with the non‐SCT cohort.
Risk of subsequent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among vaccinated employees with or without hybrid immunity acquired early in the Omicron‐predominant era of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Jacobson Mark A. , Blanc Paul D. , Tulsky Jacqueline , Tilly Monica , Meister Raymond , Huen Will , McNicholas James E.
Published: February 2024

Background

Hybrid immunity, from COVID‐19 vaccination followed by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection acquired after its Omicron variant began predominating, has provided greater protection than vaccination alone against subsequent infection over 1–3 months of observation. Its longer‐term protection is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of COVID‐19 case incidence among healthcare personnel (HCP) mandated to be vaccinated and report on COVID‐19‐associated symptoms, high‐risk exposures, or known‐positive test results to an employee health hotline. We compared cases with hybrid immunity, defined as incident COVID‐19 during the first 6 weeks of Omicron‐variant predominance (run‐in period), to those with immunity from vaccination alone during the run‐in period. Time until COVID‐19 infection over 13 subsequent months (observation period) was analyzed by standard survival analysis.

Results

Of 5867 employees, 641 (10.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.1%–11.8%) acquired hybrid immunity during the run‐in period. Of these, 104 (16.2%, 95% CI: 13.5%–19.3%) experienced new SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during the 13‐month observation period, compared to 2177 (41.7%, 95% CI: 40.3%–43.0%) of the 5226 HCP without hybrid immunity. Time until incident infection was shorter among the latter (hazard ratio: 3.09, 95% CI: 2.54–3.78).

Conclusions

In a cohort of vaccinated employees, Omicron‐era acquired SARS‐CoV‐2 hybrid immunity was associated with significantly lower risk of subsequent infection over more than a year of observation—a time period far longer than previously reported and during which three, progressively more resistant, Omicron subvariants became predominant. These findings can inform institutional policy and planning for future COVID‐19 additional vaccine dosing requirements for employees, for surveillance programs, and for risk modification efforts.