bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ionic‐Liquid Induced Morphology Tuning of PEDOT:PSS for High‐Performance Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Wu Xihu , Stephen Meera , Hidalgo Tania C. , Salim Teddy , Surgailis Jokubas , Surendran Abhijith , Su Xiaoqian , Li Ting , Inal Sahika , Leong Wei Lin
Published: October 2021

The ability to operate in aqueous environments makes poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate), PEDOT:PSS, based organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) excellent candidates for a variety of biological applications. Current research in PEDOT:PSS based OECTs is primarily focused on improving the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS film to achieve high transconductance (gm). The improved conductivity and electronic transport are attributed to the formation of enlarged PEDOT‐rich domains and shorter PEDOT stacking, but such a change in morphology sacrifices the ionic transport and, therefore, the doping/de‐doping process. Additionally, little is known about the effect of such morphology changes on the gate bias that makes the maximumgm(), threshold voltage (VT), and transient behavior of PEDOT:PSS based OECTs. Here, the molecular packing and nanostructure of PEDOT:PSS films are tuned using ionic liquids as additives, namely, 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (EMIM) as cation and anions of chloride (Cl), trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTF), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TFSI), and tricyanomethanide (TCM). It is demonstrated that an optimal morphology is realized using EMIM OTF ionic liquids that generate smaller fibril‐like PEDOT‐rich domains with relatively loose structures. Such optimal morphology improves ion accessibility, lowering the gate bias required to completely de‐dope the channel, and thus enabling to achieve high transconductance, fast transient response, and at lower gate bias window simultaneously.
Patterned‐Bank‐Free Electroluminescent Quantum Dot Emitting Array for Passive‐Matrix QLED Display
Authors: Lai Kuo‐Yang , Yang Shuan , Chen Pin‐Ru , Yeh Min‐Hua , Liao Man‐Lin , Yeh Chang‐Wei , Ho Shih‐Jung , Chang Yao‐Tang , Chen Hsueh‐Shih
Published: October 2021

Electroluminescent (EL) quantum dot light‐emitting diode (QLED) array for pixel‐on‐demand display containing 75 emitting zones (5 × 15) is demonstrated by a single larger‐area QD EL film (5 cm × 5 cm). To fabricate a passive‐matrix (PM) QLED display, the 5 × 15 QLED emitting array without any pre‐patterned bank is directly defined by the overlapping area of crossing ITO and Al finger electrodes. As‐prepared emitting array has obvious electrical crosstalk, making the on‐demand pixels emit together with some neighbors undriven, which is ascribed to a carrier leakage to the neighbor pixels. By applying the common electrode voltage to the unselected rows, the undesired electrical crosstalk has been thoroughly suppressed. This study first demonstrated that a PM‐QLED display can be feasibly realized by a bank‐free quantum dot film prepared from a coating process without any pixel defining layer or complex driving condition.
Emerging Perovskite Solar Cell Technology: Remedial Actions for the Foremost Challenges
Authors: Sahare Sanjay , Pham Hong Duc , Angmo Dechan , Ghoderao Prachi , MacLeod Jennifer , Khan Sadaf Bashir , Lee Shern‐Long , Singh Samareandra P. , Sonar Prashant
Published: October 2021

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit the steepest growth in power conversion efficiency among the existing photovoltaic technologies. However, a wide range of factors restrict the commercial viability of PSCs as a renewable energy source. This article reviews the latest progress in PSC devices including innovative light‐harvesting perovskite materials and advanced interfacial layers, and the foremost challenges. The most promising remedial solutions to challenges are also discussed. For the realization of a high performing and eco‐friendly stabilized perovskite photovoltaic device, a combinational method involving multiple restorative solutions is required. A specific emphasis is given to unveiling interesting perovskite properties, and device fabrication approaches to the solutions. These remedies and strategies may help researchers to select appropriate methods and design their experiments to obtain a high photo‐conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices with enhanced stability as compared to conventional photovoltaic devices.
Domino Reaction of Isatins with α‐Oxoketene‐N,S‐acetals: An Efficient Synthesis of Pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinoline‐1,3‐diones and 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinolin‐1‐ones
Authors: Sharma Anup Kumar , Jaiswal Anjali , Chand Shiv , Singh Krishna Nand
Published: October 2021

A straightforward synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinoline‐1,3‐diones and 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinolin‐1‐ones has been accomplished by the cascade reaction of isatins with α‐oxoketene‐N,S‐acetals using BF3 ⋅ Et2O in DMSO/toluene at 110 °C. The reaction offers an easy access to biologically important tricyclic N‐heterocycles via C−C/C−X bond formation.
Streifenschnelltest mit ppt‐Empfindlichkeit durch Kombination von Elektrochemilumineszenz‐Detektion mit Aptamer‐gesteuerter Indikatorfreisetzung aus mesoporösen Nanopartikeln
Authors: Climent Estela , Rurack Knut
Published: October 2021

Die Kombination aus elektrogenerierter Chemilumineszenz (ECL) und Aptamer‐gesteuerter Indikatorfreisetzung (gAID) aus magnetischen mesoporösen Silica‐Nanopartikeln, die in mit Poly(ethylenglycol) und N‐(3‐Triethoxysilylpropyl)diethanolamin funktionalisiertes Glasfaserpapier eingebettet sind, ermöglichte die Entwicklung eines Schnelltests, mit dem sich Penicillin direkt in verdünnter Milch bis auf 50±9 ppt in <5 min nachweisen lässt. Die kovalente Bindung der Aptamer‐Kappe an das Siliciumdioxid‐Gerüst ermöglichte den Verschluss der Poren durch nicht‐kovalente elektrostatische Wechselwirkungen mit Oberflächen‐Aminogruppen. Die Bindung von Penicillin führte zu einer Faltung des Aptamers, wodurch der zuvor in das Material geladene ECL‐Reporter Ru(bpy)32+freigesetzt wurde und nach lateralem Fluss von einer Smartphone‐Kamera nach elektrochemischer Anregung mit einer in einen 3D‐gedruckten Halter eingesetzten Siebdruckelektrode detektiert wird. Der Ansatz ist einfach, generisch und bietet Vorteile hinsichtlich Empfindlichkeit, Messunsicherheit und Robustheit gegenüber konventioneller Fluoreszenz‐ oder elektrochemischer Detektion, insbesondere für Point‐of‐Need‐Analysen anspruchsvoller Matrices und Analyten im Ultraspurenbereich.
Three‐Component Reaction to 1,4,2‐Diazaborole‐Type Heteroarene Systems
Authors: Li Jun , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: October 2021

The borane FmesBH2reacts in a three‐component reaction with an isonitrile and a small series of organonitriles to give rare examples of the class of dihydro‐1,4,2‐diazaborole derivatives. In a related way, annulated BN‐indolizine derivatives became conveniently available, as were dihydro‐1,4,2‐oxaza‐ or thiazaborole derivatives. The nucleophilic framework of a dihydro‐1,4,2‐diazaborole example allowed for an uncatalyzed acylation reaction. It also served as a 1,3‐dipolar reagent and underwent a [3+2] cycloaddition/[4+2] cycloreversion sequence when treated with methyl propiolate to give the respective pyrrole product. The [3+2] cycloaddition product of a dihydro‐1,4,2‐diazaborole derivative with N‐phenylmaleimide was isolated and its heterobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derived structure characterized by X‐ray diffraction.
FluorinatedS‐Adenosylmethionine as a Reagent for Enzyme‐Catalyzed Fluoromethylation
Authors: Peng Jiaming , Liao Cangsong , Bauer Carsten , Seebeck Florian P.
Published: October 2021

Strategic replacement of protons with fluorine atoms or functional groups with fluorine‐containing fragments has proven a powerful strategy to optimize the activity of therapeutic compounds. For this reason, the synthetic chemistry of organofluorides has been the subject of intense development and innovation for many years. By comparison, the literature on fluorine biocatalysis still makes for a slim chapter. Herein we introduceS‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) dependent methyltransferases as a new tool for the production of fluorinated compounds. We demonstrate the ability of halide methyltransferases to form fluorinated SAM (S‐adenosyl‐S‐(fluoromethyl)‐L‐homocysteine) fromS‐adenosylhomocysteine and fluoromethyliodide. Fluorinated SAM (F‐SAM) is too unstable for isolation, but is accepted as a substrate by C‐, N‐ and O‐specific methyltransferases for enzyme‐catalyzed fluoromethylation of small molecules.
Construction of C−C Axial Chirality via Asymmetric Carbene Insertion into Arene C−H Bonds
Authors: Li Ziyong , Chen Ying , Wang Chuang , Xu Guangyang , Shao Ying , Zhang Xinhao , Tang Shengbiao , Sun Jiangtao
Published: October 2021

By using diazonaphthoquinones and anilines as key reagents and through a point‐to‐axis chiral transfer strategy, the atroposelective synthesis via asymmetric C(sp2)−H bond insertion reaction of arenes has been realized under rhodium catalysis, providing the resulting biaryl atropisomers in moderate to excellent yields with good enantiomeric ratios (up to 99:1). Further elaboration indicates this type of axially biaryl scaffold may have promising potentials in developing novel chiral ligands.
A Five‐Coordinate Compound with Inverted Ligand Field: An Unprecedented Geometry for Silver(III)
Authors: Joven‐Sancho Daniel , Baya Miguel , Martín Antonio , Orduna Jesús , Menjón Babil
Published: October 2021

By using suitable synthetic procedures, we have first isolated the square‐planar organosilver(III) compounds [PPh4][trans‐(CF3)2AgX2] [X=Cl (1 a), Br (2 a)]. The geometry and stereochemistry of the chloro‐derivative 1 a have been unambiguously established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SC‐XRD) methods. Following our calculations on the relative stability of the cis‐/trans‐[(CF3)2AgX2]− couples (X=F, Cl, Br, I), the experimentally obtained compounds 1 a and 2 a appear to be kinetically favored stereoisomers. They display some tendency to associate an additional X− ligand affording rare five‐coordinate AgIII species [(CF3)2AgX3]2−. Interestingly, compound [PPh4]2[(CF3)2AgBr3] (3) has been identified by SC‐XRD methods as the first AgIII derivative with trigonal symmetry in general and trigonal bipyramidal geometry in particular. This unusual five‐coordinate species also exhibits inverted ligand field.
All‐aromatic ester‐based thermosets: The effect of crosslinking in the nematic or isotropic state
Authors: Xu Hongli , Bijleveld Johan , Dingemans Theo J.
Published: October 2021

We'll report on two series all‐aromatic main‐chain reactive oligomers that can be crosslinked in either the nematic phase or in the isotropic phase. This series is unique in that both model systems have an identical backbone geometry, comprised of hydroquinone with or without a phenyl substituent and phenyl substituted terephthalic acid. Crosslinking the oligomers (Mn of 1–9 kg/mol) via maleimide end‐groups in the nematic or isotropic phase yields networks with similar crosslink densities (Mc) and similar thermal properties. Crosslinked films exhibit high decomposition temperatures (>395°C) and amorphous thermoset films exhibit Tg's in the 141–190°C range whereas nematic thermoset films give Tg's that range from 143 to 176°C, as measured by DMTA. However, the phase type appears to have a major effect on the stress–strain behavior of the films. All films prepared by crosslinking un‐aligned nematic oligomers show poor stress–strain behavior (σ = 20–63 MPa, ε = 0.5%–5.4%), whereas crosslinking the amorphous oligomers results in films with excellent stress–strain properties (σ = 94–97 MPa, ε = 7.1%–13.3%). The superior toughness of the cured amorphous films can be attributed to the larger free volume induced by steric crowding of the phenyl substituents in the polymer repeat unit.
Nuclear organization of catecholaminergic neurons in the brains of a lar gibbon and a chimpanzee
Authors: Williams Victoria M. , Bhagwandin Adhil , Swiegers Jordan , Bertelsen Mads F. , Hård Therese , Sherwood Chet C. , Manger Paul R.
Published: October 2021

Using tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry, we describe the nuclear parcellation of the catecholaminergic system in the brains of a lar gibbon (Hylobates lar) and a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). The parcellation of catecholaminergic nuclei in the brains of both apes is virtually identical to that observed in humans and shows very strong similarities to that observed in mammals more generally, particularly other primates. Specific variations of this system in the apes studied include an unusual high‐density cluster of A10dc neurons, an enlarged retrorubral nucleus (A8), and an expanded distribution of the neurons forming the dorsolateral division of the locus coeruleus (A4). The additional A10dc neurons may improve dopaminergic modulation of the extended amygdala, the enlarged A8 nucleus may be related to the increased use of communicative facial expressions in the hominoids compared to other primates, while the expansion of the A4 nucleus appears to be related to accelerated evolution of the cerebellum in the hominoids compared to other primates. In addition, we report the presence of a compact division of the locus coeruleus proper (A6c), as seen in other primates, that is not present in other mammals apart from megachiropteran bats. The presence of this nucleus in primates and megachiropteran bats may reflect homology or homoplasy, depending on the evolutionary scenario adopted. The fact that the complement of homologous catecholaminergic nuclei is mostly consistent across mammals, including primates, is advantageous for the selection of model animals for the study of specific dysfunctions of the catecholaminergic system in humans.
Digital simulation tools in aviation maintainability training
Authors: Bernard Fabien , Bonnardel Xavier , Paquin Raphael , Petit Martial , Marandel Killian , Bordin Nicolas , Bonnardel Françoise
Published: October 2021

Aviation maintenance needs to be continuously improved for many reasons: flight safety, the health of maintenance operators, and saving time and costs among other reasons. To preventively improve the working conditions, the Maintainability Department—the department designing the maintenance activity in the Technical Design Office—develops and uses simulation tools such as Virtual‐Reality (VR). To improve maintenance, maintainability stakeholders must perform Human Factors analysis through simulation tools. However, the use of VR requires specific knowledge and skills that should be learned by students in the university. The aim of this paper is to study the use of VR as a Teaching & Training tool as well as an Industrial tool in real on‐the‐job cases. Over 2 years (between 2018 and 2020), we have trained and observed 112 students. Two main surveys have been used, the first one at the beginning of the academic year (to better know students' previous experience in VR) and the second survey at the end of the year (to get students' feedback regarding their training year with VR). We have formulated and presented recommendations to apply better inductive‐deductive teaching approaches offering more cases studies and a better understanding of aviation maintenance by students. We have also made recommendations to improve the use of VR, for example, to reduce the discrepancies and inaccuracies between the virtual and real worlds.
Modulation of Transaminase Activity by Encapsulation in Temperature‐Sensitive Poly(N‐acryloyl glycinamide) Hydrogels
Authors: Kappauf Katrin , Majstorovic Nikola , Agarwal Seema , Rother Dörte , Claaßen Christiane
Published: October 2021

Smart hydrogels hold much potential for biocatalysis, not only for the immobilization of enzymes, but also for the control of enzyme activity. We investigated upper critical solution temperature‐type poly N‐acryloyl glycinamide (pNAGA) hydrogels as a smart matrix for the amine transaminase from Bacillus megaterium (BmTA). Physical entrapment of BmTA in pNAGA hydrogels results in high immobilization efficiency (>89 %) and high activity (97 %). The temperature‐sensitiveness of pNAGA is preserved upon immobilization of BmTA and shows a gradual deswelling upon temperature reduction. While enzyme activity is mainly controlled by temperature, deactivation tended to be higher for immobilized BmTA (≈62–68 %) than for free BmTA (≈44 %), suggesting a deactivating effect due to deswelling of the pNAGA gel. Although the deactivation in response to hydrogel deswelling is not yet suitable for controlling enzyme activity sufficiently, it is nevertheless a good starting point for further optimization.
The Preparation of a Water‐Soluble Phospholate‐Based Macrocycle for Constructing Artificial Light‐Harvesting Systems
Authors: Jiao Jianmin , Sun Guangping , Zhang Jikun , Lin Chen , Jiang Juli , Wang Leyong
Published: October 2021

On the basis of cyclotrixylohydroquinoylene (CTX), a novel water‐soluble phospholate‐based CTX derivative (WPCTX) was prepared with facile synthetic procedure and satisfying yield. Several model guest molecules were selected to investigate WPCTX′s host‐guest properties. Based on the study of the host and model guest complexation, a tetraphenylethylene derivative from model guest was employed as a guest molecule (G) to form WPCTX⊃G nanoparticles (NPs) with WPCTX through further supramolecular self‐assembly in water. Moreover, a hydrophobic fluorescent dye, Eosin Y(ESY) or Nile red (NiR), was encapsulated in WPCTX⊃G NPs to construct two types of artificial light‐harvesting systems. Their high antenna effect demonstrated such NPs successfully mimicked light‐harvesting systems in nature.
NMR Crystallography Enhanced by Quantum Chemical Calculations and Liquid State NMR Spectroscopy for the Investigation of Se‐NHC Adducts**
Authors: Mames Adam , Pietrzak Mariusz , Bernatowicz Piotr , Kubas Adam , Luboradzki Roman , Ratajczyk Tomasz
Published: October 2021

N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHC) are widely utilized in catalysis and material science. They are characterized by their steric and electronic properties. Steric properties are usually quantified on the basis of their static structure, which can be determined by X‐ray diffraction. The electronic properties are estimated in the liquid state; for example, via the 77Se liquid state NMR of Se‐NHC adducts. We demonstrate that 77Se NMR crystallography can contribute to the characterization of the structural and electronic properties of NHC in solid and liquid states. Selected Se‐NHC adducts are investigated via 77Se solid state NMR and X‐ray crystallography, supported by quantum chemical calculations. This investigation reveals a correlation between the molecular structure of adducts and NMR parameters, including not only isotropic chemical shifts but also the other chemical shift tensor components. Afterwards, the liquid state 77Se NMR data is presented and interpreted in terms of the quantum chemistry modelling. The discrepancy between the structural and electronic properties, and in particular the π‐accepting abilities of adducts in the solid and liquid states is discussed. Finally, the 13C isotropic chemical shift from the liquid state NMR and the 13C tensor components are also discussed, and compared with their 77Se counterparts. 77Se NMR crystallography can deliver valuable information about NHC ligands, and together with liquid state 77Se NMR can provide an in‐depth outlook on the properties of NHC ligands.
Adjuvant tamoxifen adherence in men with early‐stage breast cancer
Authors: Oke Oluchi , Niu Jiangong , Chavez‐MacGregor Mariana , Zhao Hui , Giordano Sharon H.
Published: October 2021

Background

Most breast cancers (BCs) in men are hormone receptor–positive. Adjuvant tamoxifen is part of the standard treatment of these patients. Small, single‐institution studies have suggested that men have high rates of discontinuing adjuvant endocrine treatment. The authors examined rates of tamoxifen discontinuation and medication adherence in a large population‐based cohort of male patients with BC.

Methods

In the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database, male patients with invasive nonmetastatic BC, diagnosed between 2007 and 2013, who were ≥65 years old, had Part D coverage, and had tamoxifen prescriptions within 1 year of diagnosis were identified. Adherence was defined as a medication possession ratio of ≥80% among those patients who were filling tamoxifen prescriptions. Logistic regression model was used to assess predictors of tamoxifen adherence.

Results

A total of 451 patients met eligibility criteria. The median age at diagnosis was 75 years. The median follow‐up was 32.5 months. The rates of tamoxifen discontinuation were 15.8%, 24.3%, 31.3%, 36.9%, and 48.3% at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after diagnosis, respectively. Among the men who were still taking tamoxifen, the corresponding adherence rates were 76.9%, 73.6%, 68.7%, 64.8%, and 60.2%. In the adjusted model, significant predictors of lower adherence included residing in a high poverty area (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28‐2.12) and a Charlson comorbidity score of ≥2 (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22‐0.97).

Conclusion

Older men with breast cancer have high rates of tamoxifen discontinuation, with 48% of all patients discontinuing tamoxifen before the end of year 5. Additionally, even among those patients continuing tamoxifen, a substantial number of patients are nonadherent. Further research should evaluate potentially modifiable reasons for treatment discontinuation and lack of adherence to tamoxifen.
Synthesis of FeVO4 Nanoparticles and Sensing Performance for Ethanol Gas under Different Solution pH
Authors: Che Yanhan , Feng Guoqing , Guo Weijun , Xiao Jingkun , Song Chengwen
Published: October 2021

FeVO4 nanoparticles are synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The effect of micromorphology under different pH conditions is investigated. Their microstructure, morphology, and chemical composition are analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption. The results showed that an increase in pH leads to agglomeration of the material. The effect of different pH conditions on the gas‐sensitive performance of FeVO4 is subsequently investigated, and the best response performance of the FeVO4 sensor is achieved at a pH of 3. The consequences showed that the FeVO4 sensor has a response of 3.383 to 100 ppm ethanol gas, with the response and recovery time of 1 and 7 s. The response cycle test has proved that FeVO4 has good stability. Analyzed in conjunction with the characterization results, the oxygen vacancies on the surface of the nanoparticles not only improve the electronic conductivity but also provide active sites for the adsorption of gases, which helps to improve the sensitivity of the material to gases.
Mediators of the improvement in heart failure outcomes with empagliflozin in the EMPA‐REG OUTCOME trial
Authors: Fitchett David , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Zinman Bernard , Wanner Christoph , Schumacher Martin , Schmoor Claudia , Ohneberg Kristin , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Salsali Afshin , George Jyothis T. , Hantel Stefan , Bluhmki Erich , Lachin John M. , Zannad Faiez
Published: October 2021

Aims

In the EMPA‐REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin reduced risk of death from heart failure (HF) or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and established cardiovascular (CV) disease. We evaluated post hoc the degree to which covariates mediated the effects of empagliflozin on HHF or HF death.

Methods and results

A mediator had to fulfil the following criteria: (i) affected by active treatment, (ii) associated with the outcome, and finally (iii) adjustment for it results in a reduced treatment effect compared with unadjusted analysis. Potential mediators were calculated as change from baseline or updated mean and evaluated in univariable analyses as time‐dependent covariates in Cox regression of time to HHF or HF death; those with the largest mediating effects were then included in a multivariable analysis. Increases in heart rate, log urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR), waist circumference, and uric acid were associated with increased risk of HHF or HF death; increases in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, haematocrit, haemoglobin, and albumin were associated with reduced risk of HHF or HF death. In univariable analyses, change from baseline in haematocrit, haemoglobin, albumin, uric acid, and logUACR mediated 51%, 54%, 23%, 24%, and 27% of the risk reduction with empagliflozin versus placebo, respectively. Multivariable analysis including haemoglobin, logUACR, and uric acid mediated 85% of risk reduction with similar results when updated means were evaluated.

Conclusions

Changes in haematocrit and haemoglobin were the most important mediators of the reduction in HHF and death from HF in patients with T2DM and established CV disease treated with empagliflozin. Albumin, uric acid, and logUACR had smaller mediating effects in this population.
An authorized equality test on identity‐based cryptosystem for mobile social networking applications
Authors: Hassan Abdelrhman , Elhabob Rashad , Eltayieb Nabeil , Wang Yong
Published: October 2021

The widespread adoption of social network applications and smart mobile devices has yielded a massive amount of data transmitted through the networks. Fortunately, social network service providers offer a wide range of storage capacity and data management functionality. Accordingly, the data can be uploaded to the social servers for processing and then accessible elsewhere. Nevertheless, considering the untrusted nature of the social servers, it becomes crucial to protect the data before uploading it to the server. Unfortunately, encryption incurs another severe problem in providing search functionality on encrypted data stored on the server. In addition, most of the existing solutions are inefficient to deploy on mobile devices due to the limited resources and computing capabilities. To address this issue, we propose an authorized equality test on identity‐based cryptosystem (AET‐IBC) scheme in this article. The scheme allows the server to test if two different ciphertexts encapsulate the same message. Besides, it supports different authorization methods to enhance the privacy. Furthermore, based on the random oracle model, we prove the security of the proposed scheme to be equivalent to the modified bilinear Diffie‐Hellman intractable assumption. Finally, the efficiency analysis shows that the AET‐IBC scheme is practicable and convenient for mobile social networking applications.
Upregulation of abeM, amvA, and qacEΔ1 efflux pump genes associated with resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to disinfectants
Authors: Rostami Tahereh , Ranjbar Mojtaba , Ghourchian Sedighe , Darzi Fatemeh , Douraghi Masoumeh , Nateghi‐Rostami Mahmoud
Published: October 2021

Background and aims

Acinetobacter baumannii is among the most concerning cause of nosocomial infections due to its high level of antibiotic resistance and high mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the role of efflux pumps in resistance of A. baumannii strains to three disinfectants, including MICROZED ID‐MAX, NANOSIL D2, and OPIDEX OPA.

Methods

Twenty‐eight environmental and clinical isolates of A. baumannii were collected from selected hospitals of central Iran. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the disinfectants were determined and real time reverse transcriptase‐PCR was performed to investigate the expression level of qacEΔ1, amvA, abeM, and adeB efflux pump genes.

Results

Considering both clinical and environmental isolates, there was a significant difference in the mean expression level of qacEΔ1 gene between susceptible and resistant strains to MICROZED ID‐MAX disinfectant, of amvA and abeM genes between susceptible and resistant strains to NANOSIL D2 disinfectant and of abeM gene in susceptible and resistant strains to OPIDEX OPA disinfectant (all P ˂ .05). The expression levels of abeM and amvA genes were higher in the environmental isolates that were resistant to NANOSIL D2 disinfectant compared to those that were susceptible (P ˂ .05).

Conclusions

This study provided evidence for the role of abeM and amvA genes in the resistance of environmental isolates to disinfectants, particularly hydrogen peroxide derivatives.
The proliferation and migration of atherosclerosis‐related HVSMCs were inhibited by downregulation of lncRNA XIST via regulation of the miR‐761/BMP9 axis
Authors: Mo Long , Jiang Heng‐Bo , Tian Gui‐Ru , Lu Gui‐Jing
Published: October 2021

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can be caused by the proliferation and migration of human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs). Here, we found that lncRNA XIST was related to the abnormal proliferation and migration of HVSMCs, and thus, the mechanism by which XIST regulated HVSMCs was further investigated. HVSMCs were treated with oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL, 100 μg/ml) as AS models. CCK8 assays, flow cytometry, Transwell assays and wound healing assays were applied to evaluate cell viability, cell cycle analysis, and cell migration, respectively. A dual‐luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding relationships between XIST and miR‐761, miR‐761, and BMP9. Ox‐LDL induced the proliferation and migration of HVSMCs, upregulated the expression of XIST, downregulated miR‐761 expression, and activated the BMP9/ALK1/endoglin pathway. Luciferase assays revealed that XIST sponged miR‐761. XIST knockdown ameliorated ox‐LDL‐mediated effects in HVSMCs, which were largely abolished by miR‐761 silencing. BMP9 was targeted‐inhibited by miR‐761. MiR‐761 overexpression alleviated ox‐LDL‐mediated effects in HVSMCs. However, BMP9 overexpression abolished miR‐761‐mediated effects in HVSMCs treated with ox‐LDL. Our findings suggested that XIST knockdown suppressed the proliferation and migration of HVSMCs by promoting miR‐761, which targeted‐inhibited the BMP9/ALK1/endoglin pathway.
Psychosocial Assessment Rather Than Severity of Liver Failure Dominates Selection for Liver Transplantation in Patients With Alcohol‐Related Liver Disease
Authors: Daniel Kimberly E. , Matthews Lindsay A. , Deiss‐Yehiely Nimrod , Myers Jaime , Garvey Maureen , Rice John P. , Eickhoff Jens , Lucey Michael R.
Published: October 2021

The Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplant (SIPAT) is a validated interview tool to assess psychosocial well‐being in candidates for solid organ transplants, with higher scores indicating greater vulnerability. We hypothesized that patients with alcohol‐related liver disease (ALD) undergoing liver transplantation (LT) evaluation would have higher SIPAT scores than candidates with non‐ALD, but that only patients with ALD who have low scores would be selected. We analyzed retrospectively consecutive adults undergoing LT evaluation from June 2018 to December 2019. Comparisons between patients with ALD and patients with non‐ALD were made using the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test plus a multivariate analysis to determine independent predictors for approval. In the study cohort of 358 patients, there were 199 (56%) patients with ALD with a mean age of 55 years, and 133 (67%) were men. There were 159 (44%) patients with non‐ALD with a mean age of 57 years, and 95 (60%) were men. Mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–sodium scores were similar for selected versus not selected patients with ALD (25 versus 25.6) and selected versus not selected patients with non‐ALD (18.3 versus 17.4), although the ALD group had substantially higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores. Patients with ALD had higher mean SIPAT composite and individual domain scores compared with their non‐ALD counterparts. SIPAT scores were not affected by age or sex. Proportionately more candidates with non‐ALD were selected compared to candidates with ALD (68% versus 42%; P < 0.001; odds ratio for approval of non‐ALD versus ALD, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.8‐4.7; P < 0.001). Composite SIPAT scores were lower in the selected versus nonselected in both ALD and non‐ALD groups, although the SIPAT scores were significantly higher in selected patients with ALD (median, 39) than selected patients with non‐ALD (median, 23; P = 0.001). Psychosocial assessment has a greater influence than acuity of liver failure on the selection of patients with ALD for LT listing, whereas psychosocial assessment has a minor influence on the selection of non‐ALD candidates.
Stochastic dynamics in the Li–Rinzel calcium oscillation model
Authors: Ryashko Lev , Bashkirtseva Irina , Solovyova Olga
Published: October 2021

The problem of the constructive role of random disturbances in calcium dynamics is considered. As a conceptual model, we use the Li–Rinzel model which governs dynamics of free cytosolic
concentration and the fraction of the open inositol trisphosphate
receptor subunits. An impact of random noise on the equilibrium and self‐oscillatory regimes of the considered model is studied. Phenomena of the noise‐induced spiking excitement of equilibria and stochastic destruction of the periodic oscillations with generation of the mixed‐mode dynamical regimes are investigated.
Talanoa Dialogue at UN Climate Change Meetings: The Extraordinary Encompassment of a Scale‐Climbing Pacific Speech Genre
Authors: Kirsch Stuart
Published: October 2021

Introduced to the UN by the Prime Minister of Fiji, the Pacific speech genre of talanoa has become a key frame for international discussion of climate change policy. Traditionally associated with kava‐drinking ceremonies, talanoa includes practices that temporarily mitigate differences in hierarchy and rank, which help to facilitate the formation of consensus, a process sometimes referred to as ‘The Pacific Way’. This capacity has also motivated its application to a wide range of social interactions and speech events, scaling up from local contexts and national debates to international arenas. This includes talanoa's contribution to the facilitation of the Paris Climate Agreement by promoting cooperation and the exchange of ideas. The Talanoa Dialogue differs from other speech genres at the UN, including the process of reconciliation through which resolutions and declarations are formulated. Fiji used its leadership role at international climate change meetings to counter representations of Pacific Islanders as passive victims of climate change, including the threat from rising sea levels. The introduction of talanoa to these meetings can be understood as an ideological project of encompassment in which a regional speech genre became an international framework for addressing one of the most consequential challenges of our times, global climate change.
Label‐Free Identification of Single Mononucleotides by Nanoscale Electrophoresis
Authors: Choi Junseo , Jia Zheng , Riahipour Ramin , McKinney Collin J. , Amarasekara Charuni A. , Weerakoon‐Ratnayake Kumuditha M. , Soper Steven A. , Park Sunggook
Published: October 2021

Nanoscale electrophoresis allows for unique separations of single molecules, such as DNA/RNA nucleobases, and thus has the potential to be used as single molecular sensors for exonuclease sequencing. For this to be envisioned, label‐free detection of the nucleotides to determine their electrophoretic mobility (i.e., time‐of‐flight, TOF) for highly accurate identification must be realized. Here, for the first time a novel nanosensor is shown that allows discriminating four 2‐deoxyribonucleoside 5'‐monophosphates, dNMPs, molecules in a label‐free manner by nanoscale electrophoresis. This is made possible by positioning two sub‐10 nm in‐plane pores at both ends of a nanochannel column used for nanoscale electrophoresis and measuring the longitudinal transient current during translocation of the molecules. The dual nanopore TOF sensor with 0.5, 1, and 5 µm long nanochannel column lengths discriminates different dNMPs with a mean accuracy of 55, 66, and 94%, respectively. This nanosensor format can broadly be applicable to label‐free detection and discrimination of other single molecules, vesicles, and particles by changing the dimensions of the nanochannel column and in‐plane nanopores and integrating different pre‐ and postprocessing units to the nanosensor. This is simple to accomplish because the nanosensor is contained within a fluidic network made in plastic via replication.
Antigen‐Specific Stimulation and Expansion of CAR‐T Cells Using Membrane Vesicles as Target Cell Surrogates
Authors: Ukrainskaya Valeria , Rubtsov Yuri , Pershin Dmitry , Podoplelova Nadezhda , Terekhov Stanislav , Yaroshevich Igor , Sokolova Anstasiia , Bagrov Dmitry , Kulakovskaya Elena , Shipunova Victoria , Deyev Sergey , Ziganshin Rustam , Chernov Aleksandr , Telegin Georgii , Maksimov Eugene , Markov Oleg , Oshchepkova Anastasiya , Zenkova Marina , Xie Jia , Zhang Hongkai , Gabibov Alexander , Maschan Michael , Stepanov Alexey , Lerner Richard
Published: October 2021

Development of CAR‐T therapy led to immediate success in the treatment of B cell leukemia. Manufacturing of therapy‐competent functional CAR‐T cells needs robust protocols for ex vivo/in vitro expansion of modified T‐cells. This step is challenging, especially if non‐viral low‐efficiency delivery protocols are used to generate CAR‐T cells. Modern protocols for CAR‐T cell expansion are imperfect since non‐specific stimulation results in rapid outgrowth of CAR‐negative T cells, and removal of feeder cells from mixed cultures necessitates additional purification steps. To develop a specific and improved protocol for CAR‐T cell expansion, cell‐derived membrane vesicles are taken advantage of, and the simple structural demands of the CAR‐antigen interaction. This novel approach is to make antigenic microcytospheres from common cell lines stably expressing surface‐bound CAR antigens, and then use them for stimulation and expansion of CAR‐T cells. The data presented in this article clearly demonstrate that this protocol produced antigen‐specific vesicles with the capacity to induce stronger stimulation, proliferation, and functional activity of CAR‐T cells than is possible with existing protocols. It is predicted that this new methodology will significantly advance the ability to obtain improved populations of functional CAR‐T cells for therapy.
Biocatalytic CsPbX3 Perovskite Nanocrystals: A Self‐Reporting Nanoprobe for Metabolism Analysis
Authors: Li Menglu , Zeng Yujing , Qu Xinyu , Jalalah Mohammed , Alsareii Saeed A. , Li Chao , Harraz Farid A. , Li Genxi
Published: October 2021

CsPbX3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), with excellent optical properties, have drawn considerable attention in recent years. However, they also suffer from inherent vulnerability and hydrolysis, causing the new understanding or new applications to be difficultly explored. Herein, for the first time, it is discovered that the phospholipid membrane (PM)‐coated CsPbX3 NCs have intrinsic biocatalytic activity. Different from other peroxidase‐like nanozymes relying on extra chromogenic reagents, the PM‐CsPbX3 NCs can be used as a self‐reporting nanoprobe, allowing an “add‐to‐answer” detection model. Notably, the fluorescence of PM‐CsPbX3 NCs can be rapidly quenched by adding H2O2 and then be restored by removing excess H2O2. Initiated from this unexpected observation, the PM‐CsPbX3 NCs can be explored to prepare multi‐color bioinks and metabolite‐responsive paper analytical devices, demonstrating the great potential of CsPbX3 NCs in bioanalysis. This is the first report on the discovery of nanozyme‐like property of all‐inorganic CsPbX3 perovskite NCs, which adds another piece to the nanozyme puzzle and opens new avenues for in vitro disease diagnostics.
Co‐Quenching Effect between Lanthanum Metal–Organic Frameworks Luminophore and Crystal Violet for Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Gene Detection
Authors: Gao Huan , Wei Xuan , Li Meize , Wang Lei , Wei Tianxiang , Dai Zhihui
Published: October 2021

Exploring new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) luminophores to construct high‐efficiency sensing systems is always a hot direction for developing ECL sensors. Compared with other luminophores, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit high mass transfer ability for accelerating the reactivity in its pore channels, which is conducive to improving the performance of ECL sensors. In this work, La3+‐BTC MOFs (LaMOFs) are prepared as the highly active reactor and novel ECL luminophore. On this basis, a novel co‐quenching effect mechanism is proposed based on double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) triggered cooperation between LaMOFs and crystal violet (CV) molecules. Under the confined pore channels of LaMOFs, CV can play an important role as the photon‐acceptor due to the matched absorption spectrum with the ECL spectrum of LaMOFs, and the electron‐acceptor on account of its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level. Based on the proposed co‐quenching effect mechanism, a constructed ECL gene sensor shows good assay performance toward p53 gene in the detection range of 1 pm to 100 nm with a detection limit of 0.33 pm. The co‐quenching effect integrating LaMOFs with CV is expected to be a versatile approach in the construction of ECL gene sensor, which has good prospect in expanding the application range of ECL technology.
Hybrid Metal–Boron Diatomic Site Embedded in C2N Monolayer Promotes C–C Coupling in CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: He Miaomiao , An Wei , Wang Yuanqiang , Men Yong , Liu Shuang
Published: October 2021

Double‐atom catalyst (DAC) has gained much interest for its versatile tuning and synergistic effect of dual‐atom active sites. Metal (M)–metal (M) diatomic sites, either homo‐ or heteronuclear, are typically researched. Hybrid metal‐non‐metal combined sites have rarely been studied and even the viability of such active sites are unknown. Herein, CO2 electroreduction (CO2RR) is explored on M@X‐C2N (M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu; X = S, P, and B) which renders naturally generated M–X diatomic site. Using spin‐polarized density functional theory coupled with computational hydrogen electrode model, it is demonstrated that the functionality of hybrid M–B dual‐atom center is superior over that of a single‐ or double‐M center in driving CO2RR especially C–C coupling. Among metal–boron DACs studies, Fe@B‐C2N (μ = 2μB) exhibits the lowest free energy barrier of 0.17 eV in C–C coupling whereas Ni@B‐C2N (μ = 0μB) mainly produces CH4 with the lowest barrier of 0.42 eV. Hence, the electronic spin state of M can be particularly important in modulating selectivity and C–C coupling barrier in CO2RR. Fe@B‐C2N is predicted as the promising catalyst for CO2RR towards C2+ products owing partially to its enhanced spin state. The findings can enrich the design strategy of electrocatalysts normally running at ambient conditions.
Cell‐free DNA screening for fetal 22q11.2 deletion: a targeted test or genome‐wide methodology?
Authors: Jing X.‐Y. , Li D.‐Z.
Published: October 2021

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Bevilacqua et al. Click here to view the article.
The Life of Breath: Contexts and Approaches
Authors: Fuller David , Macnaughton Jane , Saunders Corinne
Published: October 2021

This introductory essay discusses the contexts in which breath has been considered in the last half-century in philosophy, feminism, the arts, psychoanalysis, education, religion, politics, and cultural geography, including ecological issues and the contemporary global problems of air pollution and climate change; also, as the book was being completed, the global pandemic of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement, with its slogan ‘I can’t breathe’. It describes the Life of Breath Wellcome Trust-funded project at the universities of Durham and Bristol UK, from which the book derives, including its other major outputs, an exhibition (Catch your Breath, 2018–2019) and a range of outreach activities; and it considers major themes of and connections between the individual essays that make up the volume.
Breathscapes: Natural Environments in Eighteenth-Century Physiology and Psychosomatics of Breathing
Authors: Knoeff Rina
Published: October 2021

The eighteenth century was obsessed with the physiology and pathology of respiration and the necessity of clean air and strong winds for health and well-being. Air referred not only to the air we breathe, but also to the natural environments that produce (i.e., breathe) and determine the quality of air. Knoeff’s essay is concerned with the question of how the (psycho) pathology of respiration is bound up (conspires) with natural environments, not only in the literal sense (in urban spaces as well as the countryside) but also as represented in the material and visual culture of households, most notably in landscape paintings in living rooms. It was thought that the viewing of spacious landscapes would stimulate the imagination and literally give breathing space.
‘Eloquence and Oracle’: Tobacco in Eighteenth-Century Life and Literature
Authors: Russell Andrew
Published: October 2021

In a seventeenth-century play, tobacco argues for the superiority of its ‘divine breath’ in distilling eloquence and oracle upon the tongue. This essay argues that tobacco’s arrival on European shores is reflected in two distinctive eighteenth-century literary genres, namely ‘object’- or ‘it’-narratives and the ‘poetry of attention’. Such literary works reflect eighteenth-century interest in questions of ‘sentient matter’ and ‘material agency’ and the increasingly detailed examination of nature demanded by empirical science. Using concepts derived from material culture studies and Actor-Network Theory, and examples from the deep history and current landscapes of tobacco in lowland South America, this essay argues that tobacco’s transit from ‘New’ to ‘Old’ World brought with it some cognitive changes that may have had a hitherto unrecognized influence on Enlightenment life and literature.
Endless Breath? The Pipe Organ and Immortality
Authors: O’Gorman Francis
Published: October 2021

The fantasy of never running out of breath has long been alluring. But in the nineteenth century, the idea acquired a distinctive form of material reality. The pipe organ, existing at least from the ancient Greeks, has often been described as figuratively having lungs. But with the adoption of water/gas then electric-powered organ blowers in the nineteenth century, the organ, theoretically, could provide that which nothing else could: breath that could go on for ever. This essay explores two forms of poetic and narrative reflection on the new powers of the organ’s lungs. First, it considers writing that responded to the apparent instrument of endless breath by reinforcing the organ’s association with the eternal. Second, the essay examines writers who thought precisely the opposite and who acknowledged that, if new organ blowing technology implied unexpendable breathing, the reality—amid failed turbines, broken wind supplies, and insufficient power—reminded the listener of the grave.
London Fog as Food: From Pabulum to Poison
Authors: Corton Christine L.
Published: October 2021

Traditional London fog mixed natural mist with large, sooty, sulphurous particulates from coal fires and factories to make the air thick, yellow, brown, or even black. Fogs were described in terms of food—names included ‘pea-souper’ and ‘London particular’ (a kind of Madera wine). In 1833 Thomas Carlyle referred to the fog as ‘that horrid flood of Spartan black-broth’. Inhalation became digestion, but of food commonly associated with the poor; ‘pea-souper’, the most common name for London fog, referred to cheap, yellow split-pea soup. Even in 1951, Henry Morton recalled a ‘thick pea-souper which tastes like iron filings’. When does breathing become eating or drinking? By this time, fog, regarded with pride by many Londoners, was regarded as threatening life rather than sustaining it.