bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Flexible and Degradable Hybrid Mineral as a Plastic Substitute
Authors: Yu Yadong , Guo Zhengxi , Zhao Yueqi , Kong Kangren , Pan Haihua , Xu Xurong , Tang Ruikang , Liu Zhaoming
Published: December 2021

The development of environmentally friendly plastics is critical to ensure sustainable development. In contrast to polymer plastics derived from petrochemicals, inorganic minerals, which are the most abundant matter in Earth's crust, are environmentally friendly. However, the brittleness of these minerals limits their applications as plastics. Here, because of the advantages of both biomineralization and inorganic ionic polymerization, the calcium phosphate (CaP, a typical geological and biological mineral) oligomers are used for biomimetic mineralization under the regulation of polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate, resulting in flexible CaP nanofibers with periodic structural defects. The assembly of CaP nanofibers produces a hierarchically structured bulk hybrid mineral (HM), which overcomes the intrinsic brittleness of minerals and exhibits plasticity characteristics. HM exhibits better hardness and thermostability than classical polymer plastics due to its dominant mineral composition. Notably, HM is environmentally friendly and degradable in nature, as it can potentially participate in geological cycles, indicating that this material is an optimal plastic substitute. The construction of periodic structural defects within flexible minerals expands the current understanding of materials science.
Engineering Strongly Chiral Plasmonic Lattices with Achiral Unit Cells for Sensing and Photodetection
Authors: Movsesyan Artur , Besteiro Lucas V. , Kong Xiang‐Tian , Wang Zhiming , Govorov Alexander O.
Published: December 2021

Although the concept of chirality has its origin in chemistry, the field of photonics is actively exploring and utilizing it. A new family of 2D chiral lattices constructed from fully achiral unit cells is introduced here. This type of chiral structure differs fundamentally from previously reported arrays made of chiral unit cells. In this system, circular dichroism (CD) appears due to the electromagnetic interaction between unit cells and the formation of lattice plasmons (LP). Importantly, the CD is strongly enhanced for anisotropic rectangular lattices, whereas the chiral signal in square lattices is found to be relatively weak. The results cover two configurations. The first has an index‐matched environment, and the second includes an asymmetric arrangement of refractive indices. The index‐matched model is preferable and supports ultrasharp LP resonances. Overall, excellent control of the spectral position and broadening of the CD peaks is also demonstrated by tuning the geometry and matrix refractive indices. These results can be useful for engineering polarization filters and chiral biosensors.
Synchronous Manipulation of Ion and Electron Transfer in Wadsley–Roth Phase Ti‐Nb Oxides for Fast‐Charging Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Yang , Huang Jingxin , Cao Zhenming , Lv Zeheng , Wu Dongzhen , Wen Zhipeng , Meng Weiwei , Zeng Jing , Li Cheng Chao , Zhao Jinbao
Published: December 2021

Implementing fast‐charging lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is severely hindered by the issues of Li plating and poor rate capability for conventional graphite anode. Wadsley–Roth phase TiNb2O7 is regarded as a promising anode candidate to satisfy the requirements of fast‐charging LIBs. However, the unsatisfactory electrochemical kinetics resulting from sluggish ion and electron transfer still limit its wide applications. Herein, an effective strategy is proposed to synchronously improve the ion and electron transfer of TiNb2O7 by incorporation of oxygen vacancy and N‐doped graphene matrix (TNO−x@N‐G), which is designed by combination of solution‐combustion and electrostatic self‐assembly approach. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that Li+ intercalation gives rise to the semi‐metallic characteristics of lithiated phases (LiyTNO−x), leading to the self‐accelerated electron transport. Moreover, in situ X‐ray diffraction and Raman measurements reveal the highly reversible structural evolution of the TNO−x@N‐G during cycling. Consequently, the TNO−x@N‐G delivers a higher reversible capacity of 199.0 mAh g−1 and a higher capacity retention of 86.5% than those of pristine TNO (155.8 mAh g−1, 59.4%) at 10 C after 2000 cycles. Importantly, various electrochemical devices including lithium‐ion full battery and hybrid lithium‐ion capacitor by using the TNO−x@N‐G anode exhibit excellent rate capability and cycling stability, verifying its potential in practical applications.
Metastable Antimony‐Doped SnO2 Quantum Wires for Ultrasensitive Gas Sensors
Authors: Song Zhilong , Hu Zhixiang , Liu Jingyao , Yan Jia , Li Huaming , Jiang Jianjun , Tang Jiang , Liu Huan
Published: December 2021

Doping is fundamental to controlling the properties of bulk semiconductors. Although the antimony (SbV)‐doping strategy is widely employed in the design of practical tin oxide (SnO2) semiconductor gas sensors for higher signal‐to‐noise ratio, challenges remain to dope semiconductor nanocrystals since the diffusion of impurity atoms may be far from realized at the synthesis temperatures used. Herein, a metastable Sb‐doping strategy is proposed to overcome the serious receptor‐versus‐transducer mismatch in SnO2 quantum wires (QWs). The solvothermal synthesis of colloidal SbIII‐doped SnO2 QWs has been conducted at 180 °C, whereby the antimony amount is varied to optimize the structural and morphological properties for higher surface activity and electrical conductivity. A unique n‐type doping mechanism arising from the stable presence of SbIII on SnO2 (101) facets via SnII‐O‐SbIII is demonstrated. Further, the use of sensitive (down to 4 ppb, the lowest detection limit ever reported), fast (response and recovery time of 43 s and 96 s toward 10 ppm of H2S) gas sensors for H2S detection at near room temperature (40 °C) is showcased. The metastable Sb‐doping strategy may pave the way to ultrasensitive gas sensor possessing low power consumption and excellent integration compatibility to satisfy the increasing demand for ubiquitous and reliable gas detection.
Tunable Multi‐Bit Nonvolatile Memory Based on Ferroelectric Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Zhang Qing , Xiong Hao , Wang Qiangfei , Xu Liping , Deng Menghan , Zhang Jinzhong , Fuchs Dirk , Li Wenwu , Shang Liyan , Li Yawei , Hu Zhigao , Chu Junhao
Published: December 2021

Ferroelectric field‐effect transistors (FeFETs) with 2D semiconductors as channel materials have been fabricated to achieve miniaturized size, high storage, and low power consumption. The FeFETs are studied based on few‐layer MoS2 sheets on the non‐lead Bi0.85La0.15Fe0.92Mn0.08O3 (BLFMO) ferroelectric films with a large remnant polarization (Pr ≈36 μC cm−2). In FeFETs, the conductivity states of the 2D semiconductor can be tuned by the ferroelectric polarization. It is found that the MoS2‐based FeFETs display a large memory windows exceeding 25 V, a high on/off ratio (>105), remarkable program/erase ratio (≈104), competitive retention, endurance, and high‐speed performance. Moreover, the 2D based FeFETs exhibit switchable multi‐bit data storage by applying different amplitudes of negative gate voltage pulses to enhance the data storage density. On the basis of these characteristics, the 2D‐FeFETs are potentially able to meet the need for scalability, capacity, retention, and endurance of nonvolatile memory.
Comparative morpho‐physiological aspects and transcriptomics of the gonads from wild caught and enhanced green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
Authors: Sætra I. Mathisen , Burgerhout E. , Johnsen H. , James P.
Published: December 2021

There is a growing interest in sea urchin roe enhancement around the world, but relatively little is known about the physical differences between enhanced and wild sea urchin roe and the causes of any differences. The main objective of this study was to compare various aspects of roe from wild and enhanced green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)using morphological and histological examinations, as well as analyses of amino and fatty acids, and gene expression profiles. Sea urchins were collected (n = 250) from a wild population and held in raceways where they were fed a commercially available formulated diet for 14 weeks (mid‐August – mid‐November). At consecutive time‐points, samples from the wild and enhanced sea urchins were obtained. The gonad index (GI) increased significantly in the enhanced sea urchins from 6.1% to 29.65% at week 12, while no significant increase was recorded in wild sea urchins. The concentrations of the amino acids' glycine, lysine and leucine were different between the treatments, the first two being higher and the latter lower in the enhanced sea urchin roe. Wild sea urchins had 6% more unidentified fatty acid content than enhanced sea urchins. A significant progress in reproductive stages in wild sea urchins was observed; however, none in the enhanced sea urchins, suggesting gametogenesis is inhibited in captivity, or variations in feed availability. Enhanced sea urchins had relatively less reproductive cells and an overall messier and less uniform appearance mid‐trial (weeks 8–10). Scanning electron microscopy images showed less structured and greater number of surface flagella in enhanced sea urchins. Transcriptomic analysis by RNA‐sequencing showed a total of 255 differentially expressed genes between the wild and enhanced groups, which had functions largely involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids, and ethanol degradation.
Organic Supramolecular Zippers with Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence by a Dexter Energy Transfer Mechanism
Authors: Li Guangfu , Jiang Dongjiao , Shan Guogang , Song Weilin , Tong Jialin , Kang Di , Hou Baoshan , Mu Yingxiao , Shao Kuizhan , Geng Yun , Wang Xinlong , Su Zhongmin
Published: December 2021

Ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) materials glow persistently in the dark, which offers new exciting possibilities in the fields of anti‐counterfeiting, photoelectric devices and biological imaging. However, the development of single‐component UOP materials remains a great challenge. Herein, we develop a single component organic supramolecular zipper system with a lifetime up to 0.77 s. Owing to the introduction of a pyrazole ring into the diphenylsulfone group, the “V” shaped molecules were artfully self‐assembled into supramolecular zippers via π–π and C−H⋅⋅⋅π interactions, that is not only of significance in highly efficient generation of triplet excitons but also facilitates a Dexter energy transfer process within supramolecular zippers, that are responsible for alleviating radiative and non‐radiative deactivation decay of triplet excitons, to finally boost the UOP. This finding not only gives a new set of guidelines for the design of single‐component UOP molecules but also reveals the UOP mechanism from a new perspective.
Design of Near‐Infrared Nonfullerene Acceptor with Ultralow Nonradiative Voltage Loss for High‐Performance Semitransparent Ternary Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Wuyue , Sun Shaoming , Zhou Liang , Cui Yong , Zhang Wenkai , Hou Jianhui , Liu Feng , Xu Shengjie , Zhu Xiaozhang
Published: December 2021

Semitransparent organic solar cells (ST‐OSCs) are considered as one of the most valuable applications of OSCs and a strong contender in the market. However, the optical band gap of current high‐performance ST‐OSCs is still not low enough to achieve the optimal balance between power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT). An N‐substituted asymmetric nonfullerene acceptor SN with over 40 nm bathochromically shifted absorption compared to Y6 was designed and synthesized, based on which the device with PM6 as donor obtained a PCE of 14.3 %, accompanied with a nonradiative voltage loss as low as 0.15 eV. Meanwhile, ternary devices with the addition of SN into PM6 : Y6 can achieve a PCE of 17.5 % with an unchanged open‐circuit voltage and improved short‐circuit current. Benefiting from extended NIR absorption and lowered voltage loss, ST‐OSCs based on PM6 : SN : Y6 were fabricated and the optimized device demonstrated a PCE of 14.0 % at an AVT of 20.2 %, which is the highest PCE at an AVT over 20 %.
Mechanochromic, Shape‐Programmable and Self‐Healable Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomers Enabled by Dynamic Covalent Boronic Ester Bonds
Authors: Ma Jiazhe , Yang Yanzhao , Valenzuela Cristian , Zhang Xuan , Wang Ling , Feng Wei
Published: December 2021

Endowing a cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) exhibiting a helicoidal nanostructure with dynamically tailorable functionalities is of paramount significance for its emerging applications in diverse fields such as adaptive optics and soft robotics. Here, a mechanochromic, shape‐programmable and self‐healable CLCE is judiciously designed and synthesized through integrating dynamic covalent boronic ester bonds into the main‐chain CLCE polymer network. The circularly polarized reflection of CLCEs can be reversibly and dynamically tuned across the entire visible spectrum by mechanical stretching. Thanks to the introduction of dynamic boronic ester bonds, the CLCEs were found to show robust reprogrammable and self‐healing capabilities. The research disclosed herein can provide new insights into the development of 4D (color and 3D shape) programmable photonic actuators towards bioinspired camouflage, adaptive optical systems, and next‐generation intelligent machines.
Protonation‐Induced Chirality Drives Separation by Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry
Authors: Ieritano Christian , Yves Le Blanc J. C. , Schneider Bradley B. , Bissonnette Justine R. , Haack Alexander , Hopkins W. Scott
Published: December 2021

Upon development of a workflow to analyze (±)‐Verapamil and its metabolites using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), we noticed that the ionogram of protonated Verapamil consisted of two peaks. This was inconsistent with its metabolites, as each exhibited only a single peak in the respective ionograms. The unique behaviour of Verapamil was attributed to protonation at its tertiary amino moiety, which generated a stereogenic quaternary amine. The introduction of additional chirality upon N‐protonation of Verapamil renders four possible stereochemical configurations for the protonated ion: (R,R), (S,S), (R,S), or (S,R). The (R,R)/(S,S) and (R,S)/(S,R) enantiomeric pairs are diastereomeric and thus exhibit unique conformations that are resolvable by linear and differential ion mobility techniques. Protonation‐induced chirality appears to be a general phenomenon, as N‐protonation of 12 additional chiral amines generated diastereomers that were readily resolved by DMS.
DNA Origami‐Encoded Integration of Heterostructures
Authors: Dai Xinpei , Chen Xiaoliang , Jing Xinxin , Zhang Yinan , Pan Muchen , Li Mingqiang , Li Qian , Liu Pi , Fan Chunhai , Liu Xiaoguo
Published: December 2021

Integrating dissimilar materials at the nanoscale is crucial for modern electronics and optoelectronics. The structural DNA nanotechnology provides a universal platform for precision assembly of materials; nevertheless, heterogeneous integration of dissimilar materials with DNA nanostructures has yet to be explored. We report a DNA origami‐encoded strategy for integrating silica‐metal heterostructures. Theoretical and experimental studies reveal distinctive mechanisms for the binding and aggregation of silica and metal clusters on protruding double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) strands that are prescribed on the DNA origami template. In particular, the binding energy differences of silica/metal clusters and DNA molecules underlies the accessibilities of dissimilar material areas on DNA origami. By programming the densities and lengths of protruding dsDNA strands on DNA origami, silica and metal materials can be independently deposited at their predefined areas with a high vertical precision of 2 nm. We demonstrate the integration of silica‐gold and silica‐silver heterostructures with high site addressability. This DNA nanotechnology‐based strategy is thus applicable for integrating various types of dissimilar materials, which opens up new routes to bottom‐up electronics.
Investigating on the influence of multi‐walled carbon nanotube and graphene nanoplatelet additives on residual strength of bonded joints subjected to partial fatigue loading
Authors: NajiMehr Hasan , Shariati Mahmoud , Zamani Pedram , da Silva Lucas F. M. , Ghahremani Moghadam Danial
Published: December 2021

Adhesively bonded joints in engineering structures, especially automotive body structures, inevitably experience long or limited fatigue loading conditions. In this article, the shear strength of steel bonded lap joints reinforced by multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) were evaluated after being subjected to limited fatigue loading cycles. For this purpose, three specimen groups of neat, MWCNT, and GNP‐reinforced joints (with 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% contents) were prepared. After performing the static lap shear tests, fatigue testing of each specimen group was conducted under a maximum fatigue load of 50% of its average static failure load until complete separation of the substrates. Accordingly, limited fatigue loadings were applied to each specimen group for 30%, 50%, and 70% of its total fatigue life, and subsequently, a second‐round static testing was performed to evaluate the residual strength of the joints. The results revealed that the maximum static shear strength improvements of MWCNT and GNP‐reinforced joints were associated with incorporating 1.0 and 0.5 wt% particle contents. Moreover, for 0.2 and 0.5 wt% contents, the static strength of the joints reinforced by GNPs was 3.4% and 3.9% greater than that of MWCNTs reinforced joints. On the contrary, for 1.0 and 2.0 wt% filler contents, specimens including MWCNTs had 9.1% and 18.6% higher strength than GNP‐reinforced ones. The highest fatigue life enhancements of 34.1% and 31% were obtained by adding 1.0 and 0.5 wt.% of MWCNT and GNP particles to the adhesive, respectively. It was concluded that, for 0.2 and 0.5 wt% contents, nanoparticle type did not have a noticeable effect on the residual strength of the joints after being subjected to fatigue loading for 30% of its total life. The specimens subjected to 50% and 70% of their total fatigue life indicated a minimum loss in the shear strength for the joints reinforced by dispersing 1.0 wt% of MWCNTs.
Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)core‐shellspun fibers produced by solution blow spinning for bioactive agent's encapsulation
Authors: Carlos Aline Luiza M. , A. Mancipe Javier Mauricio , L. Dias Marcos , M. S. M. Thiré Rossana
Published: December 2021

Electrospinning is a widely used technology for micro‐ and nanofibers production. However, when in situ fibers deposition or immobilization of specific agents is required, solution blow spinning (SBS) is a safer alternative. In this work, SBS system was used to produce core‐shell fibers with potential use in bioactive agent delivery. Two biodegradable polymers (poly(lactic acid) ‐ PLA and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) – PHBV) were processed with different working distances and air pressure to evaluate the influence of these variables as well as the characteristics of polymers on the fiber morphology. PHBV fibers present the best morphology with fewer defects and beads, although these fibers show larger diameters (from 2.03 to 2.27 μm) compared to PLA fibers (from 0.54 to 2.03 μm). Moreover, deposition of PHBV fibers is not significantly affected by the processing variables, indicating stability under SBS processing. PHBV is firstly used as a matrix to encapsulate hydrophilic bioactive in core‐shell structure via SBS. This structure allows the sustained release of lipase even after 14 days, evidencing the efficiency of the core‐shell fibers in producing controlled release systems. Core‐shell aligned fibers with a reduced diameter (from 3.07 to 1.42 μm) are produced replacing the static target with a rotating collector.
Dispersion stability of chitosan grafted graphene oxide nanosheets in cementitious environments and their effects on the fluidity of cement mortar nanocomposites
Authors: Rahmani Sima , Sharif Alireza , Habibnejad Korayem Asghar
Published: December 2021

Stable dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets in cementitious environments has been remained an acute challenge in cement mortar nanocomposites. In this work, chitosan (CS) biopolymer is grafted onto GO nanosheets to improve their dispersion stability in the cementitious medium and overcome the agglomeration issue. The dispersion behavior of nanosheets is evaluated by visual observation, UV–vis spectroscopy, and zeta potential measurements. It is demonstrated that the amount of CS added to GO grafting reaction mixture controls the stability of nanosheets, and the nanosheets modified by the addition of 5 wt% CS in the grafting reaction mixture (GO‐CS5) show the highest stability in the medium. A conceptual model is proposed to interpret the role of CS, as a strong metal chelating agent, on the agglomeration behavior of GO nanosheets. Moreover, the addition of GO‐CS5 to cement mortar leads to lower fluidity loss while maintaining mechanical strength compared to the addition of GO due to better dispersion and interfacial interactions of GO‐CS5 in cement.
Pandemics are catalysts of scientific novelty: Evidence from COVID‐19
Authors: Liu Meijun , Bu Yi , Chen Chongyan , Xu Jian , Li Daifeng , Leng Yan , Freeman Richard B. , Meyer Eric T. , Yoon Wonjin , Sung Mujeen , Jeong Minbyul , Lee Jinhyuk , Kang Jaewoo , Min Chao , Song Min , Zhai Yujia , Ding Ying
Published: December 2021

Scientific novelty drives the efforts to invent new vaccines and solutions during the pandemic. First‐time collaboration and international collaboration are two pivotal channels to expand teams' search activities for a broader scope of resources required to address the global challenge, which might facilitate the generation of novel ideas. Our analysis of 98,981 coronavirus papers suggests that scientific novelty measured by the BioBERT model that is pretrained on 29 million PubMed articles, and first‐time collaboration increased after the outbreak of COVID‐19, and international collaboration witnessed a sudden decrease. During COVID‐19, papers with more first‐time collaboration were found to be more novel and international collaboration did not hamper novelty as it had done in the normal periods. The findings suggest the necessity of reaching out for distant resources and the importance of maintaining a collaborative scientific community beyond nationalism during a pandemic.
Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Rich Carbon Nitride‐Based Hybrids and a New Insight of Their Battery Behaviors
Authors: Mee Lee Jang , Joseph Stalin , Chirchir Bargoria Ian , Kim Sungho , Singh Gurwinder , Yang Jae‐Hun , Ramadass Kavitha , Bahadur Rohan , Yu Xiaojiang , BH Breese Mark , Yi Jiabao , Vinu Ajayan
Published: December 2021

N‐rich carbon nitride (CN) is a promising framework that can generate innovative hybrid structures for energy applications. However, the low thermal stability of N atoms in the CN matrix is a major drawback as the crystallization of the hybridized counterpart requires a high temperature. Herein, we report the successful synthesis of the hybrid of N‐rich CN and Fe1‐xS at 700 °C by constructing a stable C−N−Fe−S heterointerface using a Fe‐incorporated metal‐organic framework (MOF) and dithiooxamide containing C, N and S atoms. The hybrids display promising capacities toward Li+ and Na+ ions storage, highlighting the beneficial role of N‐rich CN on battery performance. By systematically investigating their structure and electrochemical properties, we show that N‐rich CN, along with the heterointerface, not only acts as a hybridization matrix that helps facilitate the charge transfer kinetics but also generates substantial capacity. This unique study reveals a powerful platform for the rational design of N‐rich CN based hybrids from MOF.
The implementation of Precision Teaching for the improvement of academic skills: A systematic review of the literature over thirty years
Authors: Tiernan Aoife Mc , McCoy Anna , Mendonca Jamima , Lydon Helena , Diffley Shauna
Published: December 2021

Precision Teaching (PT) is a system for precisely defining, measuring and facilitating the subsequent analysis, interpretation, and decision making behavior (Kubina & Yurich, 2012). It can be incorporated into educational settings to monitor learners' progress and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching approaches for academic skills. The current systematic review provides a summary of studies published over 30 years which implemented PT for the improvement of academic skills. Key components of PT as implemented across studies are summarized. The findings of this review are discussed in relation to future research, identifying gaps in the literature and suggesting areas for improvement and further research on PT.
Restoration of DNA repair mitigates genome instability and increases productivity of Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Spahn Philipp N. , Zhang Xiaolin , Hu Qing , Lu Huiming , Hamaker Nathaniel K. , Hefzi Hooman , Li Shangzhong , Kuo Chih‐Chung , Huang Yingxiang , Lee Jamie C. , Davis Anthony J. , Ly Peter , Lee Kelvin H. , Lewis Nathan E.
Published: December 2021

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the primary host for manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. However, productivity loss is a major problem and is associated with genome instability, as chromosomal aberrations reduce transgene copy number and decrease protein expression. We analyzed whole‐genome sequencing data from 11 CHO cell lines and found deleterious single‐nucleotide variants in DNA repair genes. Comparison with primary Chinese hamster cells confirmed DNA repair to be compromised in CHO. Correction of key DNA repair genes by single‐nucleotide variant reversal or expression of intact complementary DNAs successfully improved DNA repair and mitigated karyotypic instability. Moreover, overexpression of intact copies of LIG4 and XRCC6 in a CHO cell line expressing secreted alkaline phosphatase mitigated transgene copy loss and improved protein titer retention. These results show that correction of DNA repair genes yields improvements in genome stability in CHO, and provide new opportunities for cell line development for sustainable protein expression.
A low‐cost, portable, and practical LAMP device for point‐of‐diagnosis in the field
Authors: Vural Kaymaz Sümeyra , Ergenç Ali F. , Aytekin Ali Ö. , Lucas Stuart J. , Elitas Meltem
Published: December 2021

Transition of rapid, ready‐to‐use, and low‐cost nucleic acid‐based detection technologies from laboratories to points of sample collection has drastically accelerated. However, most of these approaches are still incapable of diagnosis starting from sampling through nucleic acid isolation and detection in the field. Here we developed a simple, portable, low‐cost, colorimetric, and remotely controllable platform for reliable, high‐throughput, and rapid diagnosis using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays. It consists of a thermally isolated cup, low‐cost electronic components, a polydimethylsiloxane sample well, and a fast prototyped case that covers electronic components. The steady‐state temperature error of the system is <1%. We performed LAMP, Colony‐LAMP, and Colony polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) using the yaiO2 primer set for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa samples at 65°C and 30 min. We detected the end‐point colorimetric readouts by the naked eye under day light. We confirmed the specificity and sensitivity of our approach using pure genomic DNA and crude bacterial colonies. We benchmarked our Colony‐LAMP detection against Colony PCR. The number of samples tested can easily be modified for higher throughput in our system. We strongly believe that our platform can greatly contribute rapid and reliable diagnosis in versatile operational environments.
Biotechnological production of cyclic dinucleotides—Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Bartsch Tabea , Becker Martin , Rolf Jascha , Rosenthal Katrin , Lütz Stephan
Published: December 2021

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are widely used secondary signaling molecules in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. As strong agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes, they are of great interest for pharmaceutical applications. In particular, cyclic‐GMP‐AMP and related synthetic CDNs are promising candidates in preclinical work and even some in clinical phase 1 and 2 studies. The comparison of chemical and biocatalytic synthesis routes elucidated that biological CDN synthesis offers some advantages, such as shorter synthesis time, avoiding complex protective group chemistry, and the access to a new spectrum of CDNs. However, the synthesis of CDNs in preparative quantities is still a challenge, since the chemical synthesis of CDNs suffers from low yields and complex synthetic routes and the enzymatically catalyzed synthesis is limited by low product titers and process stability. We aim to review the latest discoveries and recent trends in chemical and biocatalytic synthesis of CDNs with a focus on the synthesis of a huge variety of CDN derivatives. We furthermore consider the most promising biotechnological processes for CDN production by evaluating key figures of the currently known processes.
Immunotherapies for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Justin K. H. , Irvine Andrew F. , Jones Rebecca L. , Samson Adel
Published: December 2021

Cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rapidly rising. This is particularly the case in the Western world, as a result of increasing rates of chronic liver disease, secondary to lifestyle‐associated risk factors and the lack of an established screening programme for the general population. Traditionally, radical/curative treatment options for HCC, including liver transplantation and surgical resection are reserved for the minority of patients, presenting with an early stage cancer. For patients with advanced disease, Sorafenib and Lenvatinib were, until recently, the only licensed systemic treatments, and provided only limited survival benefits at the cost of a multitude of potential side effects. Recent scientific advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy have renewed significant interest in advanced HCC, in order to fulfil this apparent area of unmet clinical need. This has led to the success and recent regulatory approval of an Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab combination for the first‐line treatment of advanced HCC following results from the IMbrave150 clinical trial in 2019, with further immune checkpoint inhibitors currently undergoing testing in advanced clinical trials. Furthermore, other cancer immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T‐cells, dendritic cell vaccines and oncolytic viruses are also in early stage clinical trials, for the treatment of advanced HCC. This review will summarise the major approaches that have been and are currently in development for the systemic treatment of advanced HCC, their advantages, drawbacks, and predictions of where this revolutionary treatment field will continue to travel for the foreseeable future.
Multimodal MR imaging signatures to identify brain diffuse midline gliomas with H3 K27M mutation
Authors: Su Xiaorui , Liu Yanhui , Wang Haoyu , Chen Ni , Sun Huaiqiang , Yang Xibiao , Wang Weina , Zhang Simin , Wan Xinyue , Tan Qiaoyue , Yue Qiang , Gong Qiyong
Published: December 2021

Background

Conventional MR imaging has limited value in identifying H3 K27M mutations. We aimed to investigate the capacity of quantitative MR imaging variables in identifying the H3 K27M mutation status of diffuse midline glioma.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐three patients with H3 K27M mutation and thirty‐two wild‐type patients were recruited in this retrospective study, all of whom underwent multimodal MR imaging. Clinical data and quantitative MR imaging variables were explored by subgroup analysis stratified by age (juveniles and adults). Then, a logistic model for all patients was constructed to identify potential variables for predicting K27M mutation status. Besides, a retrospective validation set including 13 patients was recruited. The C‐index and F1 score were used to evaluate the performance of the prediction model.

Results

It turned out that patients with H3 K27M mutation were younger in the adult subgroup. In the mutation group, some relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC) histogram parameters and myo‐inositol/creatine plus phosphocreatine (Ins/tCr) ratio were lower than in the wild‐type group of both juveniles and adults (p < 0.05). After nested cross‐validation and LASSO algorithm, the age, Ins/tCr, and rADC_15th were selected as potential predictors for H3 K27M mutation in the model. The nomogram model showed good diagnostic power with a validated C‐index of 0.884. In addition, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.898 (0.976 in validation set) and the F1 score was 0.732.

Conclusions

In conclusion, age, rADC_15th, and Ins/tCr values were helpful in identifying H3 K27M mutations in midline gliomas.
In Situ Polymerized and Imidized Si@Polyimide Microcapsules with Flexible Solid‐Electrolyte Interphase and Enhanced Electrochemical Activity for Li‐Storage
Authors: Li Yuchen , Lv Linze , Huang Weibo , Zhu Yunhao , Long Fu , Zheng Wei , Qu Qunting , Zheng Honghe
Published: December 2021

A novel in situ polymerization and imidization method is adopted to synthesize Si‐based microcapsule materials with polyimide shell. As a mechanically stable polymer, polyimide microcapsule shell can effectively alleviate the volume effect of silicon nanoparticles during alloying/de‐alloying reactions, stabilize the electrode construction, suppress the serious side reactions of electrolyte components on silicon anode surface, and help to form a flexible, homogeneous and low‐resistance solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). In addition, the conjugated carbonyl groups of polyimide make it Li+‐conductive and electrochemically active, thus increasing the electrochemical activity of silicon anode. The as‐prepared Si@polyimide microcapsules manifest high initial coulombic efficiency of 91.1 %, high initial discharge capacity of 2798.7 mA h g−1 at 210 mA g−1 (0.05 C), good rate behavior with a capacity of 1954 mA h g−1 at 10 C current rate, and considerably improved cycling performance preserving a capacity of 1239.9 mA h g−1 at 4.2 A g−1 (1 C) after 300 cycles.
Nanosized Carbon Macrocycles Based on a Planar Chiral Pseudo Meta‐[2.2]Paracyclophane
Authors: He Jing , Yu Mohan , Pang Maofu , Fan Yanqing , Lian Zhe , Wang Ying , Wang Wenguang , Liu Yajun , Jiang Hua
Published: December 2021

Structural designs combining cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) backbone with planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane ([2.2]PCP) lead to optical‐active chiral macrocycles with intriguing properties. X‐ray crystal analysis revealed aesthetic necklace‐shaped structures and size‐dependent packages with long‐range channels. The macrocycles exhibit unique photophysical properties with high fluorescence quantum yield of up to 82 %, and the fluorescent color varies with ring size. In addition, size‐dependent chiroptical properties with moderately large CPL dissymmetry factor of 10−3 and CPL brightness in the range of 30–40 M−1 cm−1 were observed.
Hydrazone Photoswitches for Structural Modulation of Short Peptides
Authors: Jeong Myeongsu , Park Jiyoon , Seo Yejin , Lee Kwonjung , Pramanik Susnata , Ahn Sangdoo , Kwon Sunbum
Published: December 2021

Molecules that undergo light‐driven structural transformations constitute the core components in photoswitchable molecular systems and materials. Among various families of photoswitches, photochromic hydrazones have recently emerged as a novel class of photoswitches with superb properties, such as high photochemical conversion, spectral tunability, thermal stability, and fatigue resistance. Hydrazone photoswitches have been adopted in various adaptive materials at different length scales, however, their utilization for modulating biomolecules still has not been explored. Herein, we present new hydrazone switches that can photomodulate the structures of short peptides. Systematic investigation on a set of hydrazone derivatives revealed that installation of the amide group does not significantly alter the photoswitching behaviors. Importantly, a hydrazone switch comprising an upper phenyl ring and a lower quinolinyl ring was effective for structural control of peptides. We anticipate that this work, as a new milestone in the research of hydrazone switches, will open a new avenue for structural and functional control of biomolecules.
Computational Insights into the Allosteric Effect and Dynamic Structural Features of the SARS‐COV‐2 Spike Protein
Authors: Xue Qiao , Liu Xian , Pan Wenxiao , Zhang Aiqian , Fu Jianjie , Jiang Guibin
Published: December 2021

COVID‐19 caused by SARS‐COV‐2 is continuing to surge globally. The spike (S) protein is the key protein of SARS‐COV‐2 that recognizes and binds to the host target ACE2. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was used to elucidate the allosteric effect of the S protein. Binding of ACE2 caused a centripetal movement of the receptor‐binding domain of the S protein. The dihedral changes in Phe329 and Phe515 played a key role in this process. Two potential cleavage sites S1/S2 and S2′ were exposed on the surface after the binding of ACE2. The binding affinity of SARS‐COV‐2 S protein and ACE2 was higher than that of SARS‐COV. This was mainly due to the mutation of Asp480 in SARS‐COV to Ser494 in SARS‐COV‐2, which greatly weakened the electrostatic repulsion. The result provides a theoretical basis for the SARS‐COV‐2 infection and aids the development of biosensors and detection reagents.
Berliner Blau im 21. Jahrhundert
Authors: Kraft Alexander
Published: December 2021

Neben der in seiner Bedeutung immer mehr zurückgehenden Anwendung des Berliner Blaus als Pigment sind in den letzten Jahrzehnten immer neue Anwendungsfelder hinzugekommen. Die Bandbreite dafür reicht von der Medizin über die Sensorik und den Umweltschutz bis hin zu modernen Energiespeichertechnologien. Eine Vorrausetzung für die Erschließung neuer Anwendungsfelder waren neue Synthesewege, um Berliner Blau ohne Fehlstellen im Kristallgitter und ohne eingebaute Wassermoleküle herstellen zu können.
Use of oral anticoagulants and its associated factors among nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with new‐onset acute ischemic stroke: A report from the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry study
Authors: Wang Jing‐Rong , Du Xin , Dong Jian‐Zeng , Chang San‐Shuai , Jiang Chao , Sang Cai‐Hua , Long De‐Yong , Tang Ri‐Bo , Zhang Hai‐Bin , Guo Jin‐Cheng , Wen Yu‐Mei , He Liu , Ma Chang‐Sheng
Published: December 2021

Background

The adherence of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy among nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in China during recent years was unclear, and the possible factors that influenced the initiation and persistent use of OAC were needed to be explored.

Methods

A total of 1085 NVAF patients, who experienced new‐onset and nonfatal AIS from August 2011 to December 2020 during follow‐ups in the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry (China‐AF), were enrolled. Information including patients' demographic characteristics, medical history, medication usage, which were collected before and after the index stroke, were used in the analysis.

Results

OAC was initiated in 40% (434/1085) NVAF patients within 3 months after new‐onset AIS. High‐reimbursement‐rate insurance coverage (odds ratio [OR]: 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–2.22, p = .036), 3‐month‐peri‐stroke AF episodes (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.88–3.69, p < .001), and pre‐stroke OAC usage (OR: 8.92, 95% CI: 6.01–13.23, p < .001), were positively associated with initiation of OAC within 3 months after new‐onset AIS, while age (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–1.00, p = .024), female (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44–0.90, p = .012) and higher modified HASBLED score (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37–0.55, p < .001) were negatively associated with it. Among 3‐month‐post‐stroke OAC users, history of radiofrequency ablation (hazard ratio: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.16–2.35; p = .006) was positively associated with non‐persistence of OAC usage.

Conclusions

In China, the proportion of NVAF patients who initiated OAC therapy since new‐onset AIS was still low. More efforts are needed on improving patients' adherence to anticoagulant therapy.
The lateral posterior clock neurons of Drosophila melanogaster express three neuropeptides and have multiple connections within the circadian clock network and beyond
Authors: Reinhard Nils , Bertolini Enrico , Saito Aika , Sekiguchi Manabu , Yoshii Taishi , Rieger Dirk , Helfrich‐Förster Charlotte
Published: December 2021

Drosophila’s lateral posterior neurons (LPNs) belong to a small group of circadian clock neurons that is so far not characterized in detail. Thanks to a new highly specific split‐Gal4 line, here we describe LPNs’ morphology in fine detail, their synaptic connections, daily bimodal expression of neuropeptides, and propose a putative role of this cluster in controlling daily activity and sleep patterns. We found that the three LPNs are heterogeneous. Two of the neurons with similar morphology arborize in the superior medial and lateral protocerebrum and most likely promote sleep. One unique, possibly wakefulness‐promoting, neuron with wider arborizations extends from the superior lateral protocerebrum toward the anterior optic tubercle. Both LPN types exhibit manifold connections with the other circadian clock neurons, especially with those that control the flies’ morning and evening activity (M‐ and E‐neurons, respectively). In addition, they form synaptic connections with neurons of the mushroom bodies, the fan‐shaped body, and with many additional still unidentified neurons. We found that both LPN types rhythmically express three neuropeptides, Allostatin A, Allostatin C, and Diuretic Hormone 31 with maxima in the morning and the evening. The three LPN neuropeptides may, furthermore, signal to the insect hormonal center in the pars intercerebralis and contribute to rhythmic modulation of metabolism, feeding, and reproduction. We discuss our findings in the light of anatomical details gained by the recently published hemibrain of a single female fly on the electron microscopic level and of previous functional studies concerning the LPN.
Inkjet Printing: A Cheap and Easy‐to‐Use Alternative to Wire Bonding for Academics
Authors: Liu Yingwen , Zhu Kaichen , Hui Fei , Yuan Bin , Zhang Chenhui , Ma Yinchang , Zhang Xixiang , Lanza Mario
Published: December 2021

Many groups in academia are having problems patterning interconnections to small electrodes using wire bonding, including metal melting and detachment of previously bonded wires. It is a fact that the industry makes reliable wire bonding using automatic setups and expert personnel, and also that many groups in academia can do wire bonding reliably. However, it is also true that wire bonding is much more problematic than other techniques often employed to pattern interconnections, such as lithography or inkjet printing. In this article, the contact resistance and maximum currents driven by metallic interconnections patterned via wire bonding, lithography, and inkjet printing are compared. It is concluded that interconnections patterned via inkjet printing meet the requirements of many types of experiments, and that inkjet printing is a very cheap and easy‐to‐use alternative to wire bonding, especially attractive for academics.
Phenotypic analysis of the pediatric immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 by flow cytometry
Authors: Sibbertsen Freya , Glau Laura , Paul Kevin , Mir Thomas S. , Gersting Søren W. , Tolosa Eva , Dunay Gabor A.
Published: December 2021

Pediatric SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is often mild or asymptomatic and the immune responses of children are understudied compared to adults. Here, we present and evaluate the performance of a two‐panel (16‐ and 17 parameter) flow cytometry‐based approach for immune phenotypic analysis of cryopreserved PBMC samples from children after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The panels were optimized based on previous SARS‐CoV‐2 related studies for the pediatric immune system. PBMC samples from seven SARS‐CoV‐2 seropositive children from early 2020 and five age‐matched healthy controls were stained for analysis of T‐cells (panel T), B and innate immune cells (panel B). Performance of the panels was evaluated in two parallel approaches, namely classical manual gating of known subpopulations and unbiased clustering using the R‐based algorithm PhenoGraph. Using manual gating we clearly identified 14 predefined subpopulations of interest for panel T and 19 populations in panel B in low‐volume pediatric samples. PhenoGraph found 18 clusters within the T‐cell panel and 21 clusters within the innate and B‐cell panel that could be unmistakably annotated. Combining the data of the two panels and analysis approaches, we found expected differentially abundant clusters in SARS‐CoV‐2 seropositive children compared to healthy controls, underscoring the value of these two panels for the analysis of immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2. We established a two‐panel flow cytometry approach that can be used with limited amounts of cryopreserved pediatric samples. Our workflow allowed for a rapid, comprehensive, and robust pediatric immune phenotyping with comparable performance in manual gating and unbiased clustering. These panels may be adapted for large multi‐center cohort studies to investigate the pediatric immune response to emerging virus variants in the ongoing and future pandemics.