bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aide médicale à mourir pour les personnes inaptes à consentir à la suite d’un trouble neurocognitif majeur : préoccupations de travailleurs sociaux du Québec
Authors: Bravo Gina , Delli-Colli Nathalie , Dumont Isabelle , Bouthillier Marie-Eve , Rochette Marianne , Trottier Lise
Published: March 2023

L’aide médicale à mourir (AMM) n’est pas accessible, à ce jour, aux personnes inaptes à consentir à la suite d’un trouble neurocognitif majeur qui l’auraient demandée de façon anticipée. Un questionnaire destiné aux travailleurs sociaux a été conçu pour évaluer l’acceptabilité d’étendre l’AMM à cette population. Une analyse quantitative des réponses, déjà publiée (Bravo et al., 2022) montre que la majorité des travailleurs sociaux appuie l’idée de donner aux personnes inaptes accès à l’AMM. Le présent article rapporte les résultats d’une analyse qualitative des commentaires laissés par les répondants à la fin du questionnaire, à travers lesquels ils expriment des préoccupations. Des 367 questionnaires retournés, 162 incluent des commentaires. Les principales préoccupations soulevées ont trait aux difficultés d’application des demandes anticipées, au risque d’abus et à l’incapacité du système de santé de répondre aux besoins des personnes qui vivent avec un trouble neurocognitif majeur. Advenant la légalisation des demandes anticipées d’AMM, les travailleurs sociaux souhaitent être impliqués dans le processus, être formés et être soutenus dans leurs démarches.
Tendances sociétales sur le plan de l’évolution des valeurs et aide médicale à mourir. Des enjeux pour la pratique
Authors: Roy Jacques , Stylios Alexandre , Pilote Éric
Published: March 2023

L’article propose une réflexion sur l’évolution de l’aide médicale à mourir à partir d’une lecture de quatre tendances sociétales sur le plan des valeurs, soit la quête d’autonomie, le recul de l’argument d’autorité, la recherche d’une qualité de vie et le déclin du religieux. Ces quatre tendances se sont progressivement imposées tant au Québec qu’ailleurs en Occident (Boudon, 2002) et elles auraient largement conditionné l’évolution du débat sur l’aide médicale à mourir (Scarlett-May, 2018; Volant, 2011). Chacune de ces valeurs est discutée et mise en relation avec les enjeux qui concernent l’aide médicale à mourir. Dans la perspective évolutive du réseau des soins palliatifs, ces valeurs interrogent le rapport entre les intervenant.e.s et les personnes en fin de vie. Préalablement, une mise en contexte du cheminement du droit en la matière est présentée. Enfin, des pistes d’intervention sont proposées et des considérations éthiques sont soulevées afin de favoriser le plus possible les choix personnels des individus en fin de vie.
Quelques réflexions éthiques autour du respect de l’autonomie et du consentement, dans le contexte de l’aide médicale à mourir en situation de handicap
Authors: Martineau Isabelle , Ummel Deborah , Fortin Gabrielle
Published: March 2023

L’accès à l’aide médicale à mourir respecte-t-il l’autonomie des personnes en situation de handicap? Nous postulons que la notion d’autonomie, entendue dans son sens procédural, et son application étroite dans le domaine des soins de santé, notamment à travers la pratique du consentement libre et éclairé, doivent être repensées pour prendre en compte le contexte et l’environnement plus large dans lequel s’inscrit la demande de mort assistée. En abordant le capacitisme et l’approche relationnelle de l’autonomie, nous considérons différents enjeux inhérents à l’accès à l’aide médicale à mourir pour les personnes en situation de handicap physique. Le concept d’autonomie relationnelle sera abordé en tant que potentiel moteur de changement en regard de la justice, et en particulier de la justice sociale.
Intégration des personnes atteintes de troubles neurocognitifs dans la recherche sur l’aide médicale à mourir : l’apport unique du travail social
Authors: Perron Catherine , Finley-Roy Vanessa
Published: March 2023

Au Québec, tout tend vers l’intégration prochaine des demandes anticipées d’aide médicale à mourir (AMM) à la loi provinciale. Ce faisant, les personnes atteintes de troubles neurocognitifs pourraient, en amont de la perte d’aptitude, déterminer les conditions justifiant, selon elles, la prestation de ce soin de fin de vie. À partir d’un survol de la littérature, nous soulignons le paradoxe lié au fait d’ouvrir l’AMM à cette population, alors que sa participation aux projets de recherche sur cette problématique demeure limitée. Nous présentons une recherche québécoise sur l’AMM en contexte de demandes anticipées, dans laquelle l’intégration des personnes diagnostiquées avec un trouble neurocognitif est valorisée. Nous exposons la méthodologie initialement envisagée pour inclure cette population à notre étude, ainsi que les enjeux rencontrés pour y arriver. Nous arguons que la perspective du travail social nous a aidées à résoudre ces enjeux. Enfin, nous avançons que la quête visant l’intégration des populations dites vulnérables à la recherche scientifique sur l’AMM devrait être menée avec autant de ferveur que la quête visant l’élargissement de ce soin de fin de vie.
Native functions of short tandem repeats
Authors: Wright Shannon E , Todd Peter K
Published: March 2023

Over a third of the human genome is comprised of repetitive sequences, including more than a million short tandem repeats (STRs). While studies of the pathologic consequences of repeat expansions that cause syndromic human diseases are extensive, the potential native functions of STRs are often ignored. Here, we summarize a growing body of research into the normal biological functions for repetitive elements across the genome, with a particular focus on the roles of STRs in regulating gene expression. We propose reconceptualizing the pathogenic consequences of repeat expansions as aberrancies in normal gene regulation. From this altered viewpoint, we predict that future work will reveal broader roles for STRs in neuronal function and as risk alleles for more common human neurological diseases.
Development of a new generation of miniemulsion based on cottonseed oil with α-tocopherol and ZnO and evaluation of its adjuvant activity
Authors: Sobrevilla-Hernández Gustavo , Franco-Molina Moisés Armides , Zárate-Triviño Diana G. , Kawas Jorge R. , Hernández-Martínez Sara Paola , García-Coronado Paola Leonor , Santana-Krímskaya Silvia Elena , Alvizo-Báez Cynthia Aracely , Rodríguez-Padilla Cristina
Published: March 2023

Background

Emulsions have been widely used as immunological adjuvants. But the use of materials derived from plants such as cottonseed oil, alpha-tocopherol, or minerals such as zinc, as well as their use at the nanometric scale has been little explored. In this study, we develop a new miniemulsion and evaluated its antioxidant and phagocytic capacity, as well as parameters related to immune response stimulation by cytokine expression and antibodies production in a mice model.

Methods

Formulated CN (cottonseed oil miniemulsion) and CNZ (cottonseed oil miniemulsion whit zinc oxide nanoparticles) miniemulsions were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy SEM, DLS and FT-IR. In murine macrophages, splenocytes and thymocytes primary cultures safety and cytotoxicity were determined by MTT. In macrophages the antioxidant and phagocytic capacity was evaluated. In BALB/c mice, the stimulation of the immune system was determined by the expression of cytokines and the production of antibodies.

Results

The CN and CNZ presented stability for 90 days. Immediately after preparation, the CN presented a higher particle size (543.1 nm) than CNZ (320 nm). FT-IR demonstrated the correct nanoparticle synthesis by the absence of sulfate groups. CN and CNZ (1.25 to 10 µL/mL) had no toxic effect on macrophages (p = 0.108), splenocytes (p = 0.413), and thymocytes (p = 0.923). All CN and CNZ doses tested induced nitric oxide and antioxidants production in dose dependent manner when compared with control. CN-ovalbumin and CNZ-ovalbumin treatments in femoral subcutaneous tissue area showed inflammation with higher leukocyte infiltration compared with FCA. The intraperitoneal administration with CN, CNZ, and FCA showed a higher total intraperitoneal cells recruitment (CD14+) after 24 h of inoculation than control (p = 0.0001). CN and CNZ increased the phagocyte capacity with respect to untreated macrophages in the Candida albicans-phagocytosis assay. The evaluation of residual CFU indicated that only CN significantly decreased (p = 0.004) this value at 3 h. By other side, only CN increased (p = 0.002) the nitric oxide production. CNZ stimulated a major INFγ secretion compared with FCA at day 7. A major IL-2 secretion was observed at days 7 and 14, stimulated with CN and CNZ. Both miniemulsions did not affect the antibody isotypes production (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG3, IgA and IgM) at days 7, 14, 28, and 42. CN induced a significant IgG production against OVA, but lesser than FCA.

Conclusions

The two new miniemulsions with adjuvant and antioxidant capacity, were capable of generating leukocyte infiltration and increased cytokines and antibodies production.
Wastewater monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA at K-12 schools: comparison to pooled clinical testing data
Authors: Kim Sooyeol , Boehm Alexandria B.
Published: March 2023

Background

Wastewater measurements of SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been extensively used to supplement clinical data on COVID-19. Most examples in the literature that describe wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 RNA use samples from wastewater treatment plants and individual buildings that serve as the primary residence of community members. However, wastewater surveillance can be an attractive supplement to clinical testing in K-12 schools where individuals only spend a portion of their time but interact with others in close proximity, increasing risk of potential transmission of disease.

Methods

Wastewater samples were collected from two K-12 schools in California and divided into solid and liquid fractions to be processed for detection of SARS-CoV-2. The resulting detection rate in each wastewater fraction was compared to each other and the detection rate in pooled clinical specimens.

Results

Most wastewater samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA when clinical testing was positive (75% for solid samples and 100% for liquid samples). Wastewater samples continued to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA when clinical testing was negative or in absence of clinical testing (83% for both solid and liquid samples), indicating presence of infected individuals in the schools. Wastewater solids had a higher concentration of SARS-CoV-2 than wastewater liquids on an equivalent mass basis by three orders of magnitude.
Symphysodontella (Bryophyta: Pterobryaceae) new to the Australian flora
Authors: Meagher David , Cairns Andi
Published: March 2023

The genus Symphysodontella (Bryophyta: Pterobryaceae) is reported as new to the Australian flora, based on a collection from northern Queensland that we identify as Symphysodontella splendens. This species was previously known from Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam. The presence of gemmae is reported for the first time in Symphysodontella.
Missing in the Shark Bay area, Grevillea speckiana Olde, a new species and the northern-most member of the Triloba Group (Proteaceae: Grevilleoideae: Hakeinae)
Authors: Olde Peter Maurice
Published: March 2023

Grevillea speckiana Olde is described from a single collection gathered in 1953. Although the specimens bears flowers in early bud, fruits and foliage are sufficient to assign and describe the species. Unlike several other species in the Triloba Group awaiting description from single specimens that represent extinct species, there is some hope for its continued existence because of the botanically unexplored locality in which it was collected.
Tristaniopsis flexuosa (Myrtaceae), a new species from ultramafic soils in the Philippines
Authors: Fernando Edwino S , Wilson Peter G
Published: March 2023

A new species of Tristaniopsis (Myrtaceae) from the Philippines, Tristaniopsis flexuosa Fernando & Peter G.Wilson, is formally described and illustrated. At present, the species is known only from a single locality in upper montane forest in extreme ultramafic habitat and we provide an assessment of its conservation status. Its relationship to other Malesian species of Tristaniopsis is discussed, and a key to the identification of the Philippine species provided.
New species and taxonomic changes in the Grevillea thelemanniana Group (Proteaceae: Grevilleoideae: Hakeinae) from south-west Western Australia
Authors: Olde Peter Maurice , Keighery Gregory J
Published: March 2023

Four species are added to the Grevillea thelemanniana Group, the constituency of which is discussed in light of recent phylogenetic analyses. Two new species are described. Grevillea cooljarloo Keighery and Olde was previously included by some in Grevillea preissii Meisn. subsp. preissii or as G. pinaster divided-leaf form, and is presently known informally as Grevillea thelemanniana subsp. Cooljarloo (B.J. Keighery 28B) by the Western Australian Herbarium. Grevillea gillingarra Olde and Keighery has previously been confused with G. thelemanniana Hügel ex Endl. Grevillea preissii subsp. glabrilimba Olde and Marriott is here recognised at specific rank, as G. glabrilimba (Olde and Marriott) Olde. Grevillea preissii is more narrowly circumscribed, in line with the original concept sensu Meisner (1845), without subspecies. A photo of the Blaschka glass model of Grevillea preissii is included with permission. The historical confusion between G. thelemanniana and G. preissii is revisited. Grevillea variifolia subsp. bundera Keighery is recognised at species-level as G. bundera (Keighery) Olde and Keighery. A conservation assessment for all taxa is provided and a key to the revised Thelemanniana Group, as currently accepted, is supplied.
A new species of Calandrinia (Montiaceae) from rocky pavements in eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland
Authors: West Judy G. , Albrecht David
Published: March 2023

Calandrinia petrophila J.G.West & Albr. sp. nov. is described and illustrated, with notes on distribution, habitat, conservation status and features distinguishing it from similar species of Calandrinia.
Modulatory Activity of Aju Mbaise Polyherbal Formulation on Serum Proinflammatory Cytokines and Prostaglandin Levels in Nulliparous and Parturient Female Albino Rats
Authors: Agu Vincent Kalu , Achukwu Uwadiegwu , Ijioma Solomon Nnah , Kafor Bernard Nonyerem
Published: March 2023

Aju Mbaise (Ajumbise), which traces its origin to the people of Mbaise in the Owerri Senatorial District of Imo State in Nigeria, is a composite mixture of approximately eight herbal plants in the forms of herbs, barks, and roots, used for the management of delivery pains, postpartum associated disorders and facilitate recoil of the uterus after delivery. In this study, the modulatory effects of different solvent extracts of the polyherbal on inflammatory markers were investigated in parturient and non-pregnant rats. The rats which were assigned to ten groups of 5 rats each (with controls) were treated such that each group was administered a specific solvent extract (500 mg/kg body weight) while the control groups received normal saline. Treatment lasted 28 days before animals were sacrificed for sample collection and analyses of pro-inflammatory markers. Results of the lethal dose (LD50) assessment of the extracts revealed values >5000 mg/kg body weight for all four extracts. The serum concentrations of interleukin-1b, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 were significantly reduced in the treated nulliparous and parturient rats for all extracts when compared with their respective control values (p<0.05), but that of prostaglandin E1 increased across the test groups when compared with their controls (p<0.05). Therefore, ethanol, chloroform, diethyl ether and aqueous extracts of Ajumbise polyherbal formulation may be safe modulatory agents for the management of pain and inflammatory disorders usually associated with elevated inflammatory cytokines levels and may be used as such, especially in females.
Risk of Stroke, Death, and Myocardial Infarction Following Transcarotid Artery Revascularization vs Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients With Standard Surgical Risk
Authors: Liang Patric , Cronenwett Jack L. , Secemsky Eric A. , Eldrup-Jorgensen Jens , Malas Mahmoud B. , Wang Grace J. , Nolan Brian W. , Kashyap Vikram S. , Motaganahalli Raghu L. , Schermerhorn Marc L.
Published: March 2023

Importance

Carotid artery stenting has been limited to use in patients with high surgical risk; outcomes in patients with standard surgical risk are not well known.

Objective

To compare stroke, death, and myocardial infarction outcomes following transcarotid artery revascularization vs carotid endarterectomy in patients with standard surgical risk.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective propensity-matched cohort study was conducted from August 2016 to August 2019 with follow-up until August 31, 2020, using data from the multicenter Vascular Quality Initiative Carotid Artery Stent and Carotid Endarterectomy registries. Patients with standard surgical risk, defined as those lacking Medicare-defined high medical or surgical risk characteristics and undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization (n = 2962) or carotid endarterectomy (n = 35 063) for atherosclerotic carotid disease. In total, 760 patients were excluded for treatment of multiple lesions or in conjunction with other procedures.

Exposures

Transcarotid artery revascularization vs carotid endarterectomy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was a composite end point of 30-day stroke, death, or myocardial infarction or 1-year ipsilateral stroke.

Results

After 1:3 matching, 2962 patients undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization (mean [SD] age, 70.4 [6.9] years; 1910 [64.5%] male) and 8886 undergoing endarterectomy (mean [SD] age, 70.0 [6.5] years; 5777 [65.0%] male) were identified. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of the primary composite end point between the 2 cohorts (transcarotid 3.0% vs endarterectomy 2.6%; absolute difference, 0.40% [95% CI, −0.43% to 1.24%]; relative risk [RR], 1.14 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.50]; P = .34). Transcarotid artery revascularization was associated with a higher risk of 1-year ipsilateral stroke (1.6% vs 1.1%; absolute difference, 0.52% [95% CI, 0.03 to 1.08]; RR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.05 to 2.11%]; P = .02) but no difference in 1-year all-cause mortality (2.6% vs 2.5%; absolute difference, −0.13% [95% CI, −0.18% to 0.33%]; RR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.78 to 1.39]; P = .67).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, the risk of 30-day stroke, death, or myocardial infarction or 1-year ipsilateral stroke was similar in patients undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization compared with those undergoing endarterectomy for carotid stenosis.
Effectiveness of Structured Care Coordination for Children With Medical Complexity
Authors: Cohen Eyal , Quartarone Samantha , Orkin Julia , Moretti Myla E. , Emdin Abby , Guttmann Astrid , Willan Andrew R. , Major Nathalie , Lim Audrey , Diaz Sanober , Osqui Lisa , Soscia Joanna , Fu Longdi , Gandhi Sima , Heath Anna , Fayed Nora
Published: March 2023

Importance

Children with medical complexity (CMC) have chronic conditions and high health needs and may experience fragmented care.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of a structured complex care program, Complex Care for Kids Ontario (CCKO), with usual care.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial used a waitlist variation for randomizing patients from 12 complex care clinics in Ontario, Canada, over 2 years. The study was conducted from December 2016 to June 2021. Participants were identified based on complex care clinic referral and randomly allocated into an intervention group, seen at the next available clinic appointment, or a control group that was placed on a waitlist to receive the intervention after 12 months.

Intervention

Assignment of a nurse practitioner–pediatrician dyad partnering with families in a structured complex care clinic to provide intensive care coordination and comprehensive plans of care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Co-primary outcomes, assessed at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months postrandomization, were service delivery indicators from the Family Experiences With Coordination of Care that scored (1) coordination of care among health care professionals, (2) coordination of care between health care professionals and families, and (3) utility of care planning tools. Secondary outcomes included child and parent health outcomes and child health care system utilization and cost.

Results

Of 144 participants randomized, 141 had complete health administrative data, and 139 had complete baseline surveys. The median (IQR) age of the participants was 29 months (9-102); 83 (60%) were male. At 12 months, scores for utility of care planning tools improved in the intervention group compared with the waitlist group (adjusted odds ratio, 9.3; 95% CI, 3.9-21.9; P < .001), with no difference between groups for the other 2 co-primary outcomes. There were no group differences for secondary outcomes of child outcomes, parent outcomes, and health care system utilization and cost. At 24 months, when both groups were receiving the intervention, no primary outcome differences were observed. Total health care costs in the second year were lower for the intervention group (median, CAD$17 891; IQR, 6098-61 346; vs CAD$37 524; IQR, 9338-119 547 [US $13 415; IQR, 4572-45 998; vs US $28 136; IQR, 7002-89 637]; P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

The CCKO program improved the perceived utility of care planning tools but not other outcomes at 1 year. Extended evaluation periods may be helpful in assessing pediatric complex care interventions.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02928757
Tissue and plasma enzyme activities and chemical analytes in Golden Trevally from a public aquarium
Authors: Rapp Kathryn , Perry Sean , Delaune Alexa , Stilwell Justin
Published: March 2023

Objective

Veterinary care of aquatic species, particularly fish, is limited by a lack of knowledge regarding their unique physiology. Tissue enzyme activities measured in plasma are used for assessing function and potential damage to specific organs and tracking disease progression in live animals. The objective of this study was to identify tissue(s) of origin and plasma concentrations for specific enzymes in healthy Golden Trevally Gnathanodon speciosus. We hypothesized that enzymes would exhibit tissue-specific tropisms, with higher activities in one or more tissues compared to others.

Methods

Six fish were randomly selected from a public aquarium population to obtain antemortem blood samples. The fish were then euthanized, and tissue samples were collected via gross necropsy. Six enzyme activities and two chemical analytes were examined across samples of plasma and 10 tissues from each fish.

Result

Enzyme activities exhibited significant organ specificities. Aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase levels were highest in skeletal muscle, with variably high levels in gonads. Alkaline phosphatase levels were highest in the kidney, spleen, and liver. Alanine aminotransferase levels had high specificity for the liver. Gamma-glutamyl transferase was only detectable in the kidney and plasma.

Conclusion

This work establishes baseline tissue enzyme origins for Golden Trevally, which will aid clinicians in diagnostic interpretation of blood chemistries and improve veterinary care for this understudied fish species.
An Anti‐Freezing Hydrogel Electrolyte for Flexible Zinc‐Ion Batteries Operating at −70 °C
Authors: Shi Ying , Wang Rui , Bi Songshan , Yang Min , Liu Lili , Niu Zhiqiang
Published: March 2023

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are considered as the promising candidate of flexible energy storage devices due to their high safety, eco‐friendliness, and low‐cost. However, conventional flexible aqueous ZIBs undergo severe capacity loss at bending and subzero temperature states. Herein, an anti‐freezing hydrogel electrolyte based on zinc tetrafluoroborate (Zn(BF4)2) and polyacrylamide (PAM) is developed. Owing to the strong electronegativity of F atoms, BF4−anions interact with water molecules by OH···F to replace the OH···O between water molecules in Zn(BF4)2‐PAM hydrogel electrolyte, inhibiting the formation of ice crystal lattice in hydrogel electrolyte at low‐temperature. Therefore, the Zn(BF4)2‐PAM hydrogel remains unfrozen state, good flexibility, and high ionic conductivity even at −70 °C, which ensures that they can act as the electrolytes of anti‐freezing flexible ZIBs. As a proof of concept, anti‐freezing flexible ZIBs with all‐in‐one integrated configuration are assembled based on Zn(BF4)2‐PAM hydrogel. They display enhanced electrochemical performance at −70 °C, such as high capacity retention and remarkable cyclic stability. Furthermore, they also maintain stable electrochemical performance under different bending states even at −70 °C. This work broadens the practical application of flexible aqueous ZIBs at ultralow temperature.
Reconfigurable Multilevel Optical PUF by Spatiotemporally Programmed Crystallization of Supersaturated Solution
Authors: Kim Youngchan , Lim Jaemook , Lim Ji Hwan , Hwang Eunseung , Lee Hyunkoo , Kim Minwoo , Ha Inho , Cho Hyunmin , Kwon Jinhyeong , Oh Junho , Ko Seung Hwan , Pan Heng , Hong Sukjoon
Published: March 2023

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are emerging as an alternative to information security by providing an advanced level of cryptographic keys with non‐replicable characteristics, yet the cryptographic keys of conventional PUFs are not reconfigurable from the ones assigned at the manufacturing stage and the overall authentication process slows down as the number of entities in the dataset or the length of cryptographic key increases. Herein, a supersaturated solution‐based PUF (S‐PUF) is presented that utilizes stochastic crystallization of a supersaturated sodium acetate solution to allow a time‐efficient, hierarchical authentication process together with on‐demand rewritability of cryptographic keys. By controlling the orientation and the average grain size of the sodium acetate crystals via a spatiotemporally programmed temperature profile, the S‐PUF now includes two global parameters, that is, angle of rotation and divergence of the diffracted beam, in addition to the speckle pattern to produce multilevel cryptographic keys, and these parameters function as prefixes for the classification of each entity for a fast authentication process. At the same time, the reversible phase change of sodium acetate enables repeated reconfiguration of the cryptographic key, which is expected to offer new possibilities for a next‐generation, recyclable anti‐counterfeiting platform.
Preventing Vanishing Gradient Problem of Hardware Neuromorphic System by Implementing Imidazole‐Based Memristive ReLU Activation Neuron
Authors: Oh Jungyeop , Kim Sungkyu , Lee Changhyeon , Cha Jun‐Hwe , Yang Sang Yoon , Im Sung Gap , Park Cheolmin , Jang Byung Chul , Choi Sung‐Yool
Published: March 2023

With advances in artificial intelligent services, brain‐inspired neuromorphic systems with synaptic devices are recently attracting significant interest to circumvent the von Neumann bottleneck. However, the increasing trend of deep neural network parameters causes huge power consumption and large area overhead of a nonlinear neuron electronic circuit, and it incurs a vanishing gradient problem. Here, a memristor‐based compact and energy‐efficient neuron device is presented to implement a rectifying linear unit (ReLU) activation function. To emulate the volatile and gradual switching of the ReLU function, a copolymer memristor with a hybrid structure is proposed using a copolymer/inorganic bilayer. The functional copolymer film developed by introducing imidazole functional groups enables the formation of nanocluster‐type pseudo‐conductive filaments by boosting the nucleation of Cu nanoclusters, causing gradual switching. The ReLU neuron device is successfully demonstrated by integrating the memristor with amorphous InGaZnO thin‐film transistors, and achieves 0.5 pJ of energy consumption based on sub‐10 µA operation current and high‐speed switching of 650 ns. Furthermore, device‐to‐system‐level simulation using neuron devices on the MNIST dataset demonstrates that the vanishing gradient problem is effectively resolved by five‐layer deep neural networks. The proposed neuron device will enable the implementation of high‐density and energy‐efficient hardware neuromorphic systems.
Photochemical Precharging of Tungsten Trioxide for Enhanced Transmittance Modulation in Flexible Electrochromic Devices
Authors: Brändler Lisa , Niklaus Lukas , Schott Marco , Löbmann Peer
Published: March 2023

UV irradiation is used to precharge sputtered tungsten trioxide (WO3) on polyethylene terephthalate enhancing the photochromic response with organic solvents. A comparison between the optical and electrochemical properties of photochemically and electrochemically charged WO3results in a correlation of the transmittance to the respective charge density. This allows for a precise control of the charge density in the precharging process monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy. A proof‐of‐concept flexible electrochromic device combining precharged WO3(charge density: 20 mC cm−2) and Prussian blue (15 mC cm−2) exhibits a superior change in the visible light transmittance (τv) from 8% (dark) to 79% (bleached) and a coloration efficiency of 139 cm2 C−1at 716 nm.
Electro‐Reconfigurable Adaptive Microlens with Simultaneous Multidirectional Focal Adjustment and Zooming
Authors: Yoon Jae Uk , Han Dong‐Heon , Oh Seung‐Ju , Woo Insun , Park Hyeon‐Su , Bae Jin Woo
Published: March 2023

Electrically reconfigurable lenses capable of focal adjustment and zooming require deformable adaptive optical components. However, existing electroactive optical devices that perform these functions are limited by fluid leakage or require complex mechanical parts. Although polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel‐based lenses with variable focal lengths and zooming have recently been developed, focal adjustment can only be made in the horizontal axis. Herein, a PVC gel‐based adaptive microlens capable of controlling the focal length and focal point simultaneously in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions without mechanical gears or liquid leakage is presented. By optimizing the characteristics of PVC gels plasticized with three different structured plasticizers, a PVC gel‐based adaptive microlens is fabricated. The produced microlens demonstrates the properties of multidirectional focal adjustment, variable focal length (+33.7 to −15.1 mm) at low input voltages (<300 V), excellent transparency (>90%), fast response (0.10 s at 100 V), silent operation, low power consumption (0.39 mW), and excellent potential for further miniaturization.
Modeling Weakly Scattering Random Media: A Tool to Resolve the Internal Structure of Nanoporous Materials
Authors: Jiménez-Solano Alberto , Miranda-Muñoz José María , Carretero-Palacios Sol , Míguez Hernán
Published: March 2023

Nanoporous media scatter a small fraction of the light propagating through them, even if pore sizes are significantly smaller than the characteristic visible wavelengths. The disordered spatial modulation of the refractive index at the few or few tens of nanometers length scale, resulting from the presence of randomly distributed air bubbles or solid aggregates within a continuous solid background, gives rise to these weak scattering effects. However, standard theoretical approaches to describe this kind of media use effective medium approximations that do not account for diffuse, ballistic, and specular components. Herein, all spectral components and the angular distribution of the scattered light are captured through optical modeling. A Monte Carlo approach, combining scattering Mie theory and Fresnel equations, implemented within a genetic algorithm, allows us to decode the void and aggregate size distribution and hence the internal structure of a nanocrystalline titania (TiO2) film chosen as a paradigmatic example. The approach allows to generically describe the scattering properties of nanoporous materials which, as shown herein, may be used to decipher their internal structure from the fitting of their far‐optical field properties.
Addressing the Conflict between Mobility and Stability in Oxide Thin‐film Transistors
Authors: Liang Lingyan , Zhang Hengbo , Li Ting , Li Wanfa , Gao Junhua , Zhang Hongliang , Guo Min , Gao Shangpeng , He Zirui , Liu Fengjuan , Ning Ce , Cao Hongtao , Yuan Guangcai , Liu Chuan
Published: March 2023

Amorphous oxide semiconductor thin‐film transistors (AOS TFTs) are ever‐increasingly utilized in displays. However, to bring high mobility and excellent stability together is a daunting challenge. Here, the carrier transport/relaxation bilayer stacked AOS TFTs are investigated to solve the mobility‐stability conflict. The charge transport layer (CTL) is made of amorphous In‐rich InSnZnO, which favors big average effective coordination number for all cations and more edge‐shared structures for better charge transport. Praseodymium‐doped InSnZnO is used as the charge relaxation layer (CRL), which substantially shortens the photoelectron lifetime as revealed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The CTL and CRL with the thickness suitable for industrial production respectively afford minute potential barrier fluctuation for charge transport and fast relaxation for photo‐generated carriers, resulting in transistors with an ultrahigh mobility (75.5 cm2 V−1 s−1) and small negative‐bias‐illumination‐stress/positive‐bias‐temperature‐stress voltage shifts (−1.64/0.76 V). The design concept provides a promising route to address the mobility‐stability conflict for high‐end displays.
Trends and Prospects of Bulk and Single‐Atom Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Iqbal Sarmad , Safdar Bushra , Hussain Iftikhar , Zhang Kaili , Chatzichristodoulou Christodoulos
Published: March 2023

Electrolytic hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the production of green fuels and chemicals, while contributing to balancing consumption and supply in the future electricity grid relying largely on intermittent renewable sources for energy production. However, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a major bottleneck in boosting conversion efficiency due to the sluggish kinetics of the four‐electron transfer process. Intensive research efforts are thus directed toward the development of advanced OER electrocatalysts. This review aims at bringing together recent advances in bulk and single‐atom electrocatalysts (SACs) for the OER. Starting from the established understanding of the OER mechanism, it offers an overview of state‐of‐the‐art materials for the OER, highlighting the current research directions and shortcomings of bulk electrocatalysts. The final part addresses the novel development of SACs, covering their OER performance as well as the established synthetic routes and advances in characterization techniques that shine light on the geometric and electronic configuration of SACs. The review of experimental findings is complimented with theoretical insights from density functional theory (DFT). The article concludes with a summary along with future opportunities to further improve the activity of SACs for the OER.
COVID‐19 and the economic recovery in South Asia: Economywide modeling scenarios for Bangladesh and Nepal
Authors: Dorosh Paul , Pauw Karl , Pradesha Angga , Thurlow James
Published: March 2023

We use economywide models to examine the economic recovery from COVID‐19 shocks in Bangladesh and Nepal during 2020–2026. Declining labor productivity, capital underutilization, consumption shifts, and international investment shocks had significant and differential sectoral and country‐level impacts in these countries. By 2026, GDP will be 6.9% and 13.9% lower in Bangladesh and Nepal, respectively, and the two countries will have an additional 3.3 million people in poverty compared to a no‐COVID baseline. Regaining economic and welfare losses will require substantial investments in key industrial, agricultural, and tourism sectors, although tough policy decisions will be required given high levels of public debt.
Re‐remembering the influence of randomized β‐carotene on cognitive decline
Authors: Kopec Rachel E. , Chasman Daniel I. , Okereke Olivia I. , Sesso Howard D.
Published: March 2023

The wave of individuals impacted by dementia continues to rise rapidly as worldwide lifespan increases. Dietary strategies to slow cognitive decline and prolong time to clinical dementia remain understudied, but with potentially powerful public health consequences. Indeed, previously conducted large, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials of micronutrients remain an under‐leveraged resource to study changes in cognitive performance. As a motivating example, we highlight an ancillary report from the Physicians’ Health Study, where subjects randomized to β‐carotene (a provitamin A carotenoid) had a more attenuated change in longitudinal global cognitive performance and verbal memory, as compared to subjects randomized to placebo. Despite mechanistic evidence from cell and animal studies supporting a vitamin A‐mediated role in the biology associated with cognition, limited follow‐up work has been conducted. We argue that dietary factors (including provitamin A) deserve a second look, leveraging multi‐omic approaches, to elucidate how they may mitigate cognitive decline and dementia risk.
Hemin as a General Static Dark Quencher for Constructing Heme Oxygenase‐1 Fluorescent Probes
Authors: Chen Fan , Zhang Baoxin , Ding Zhenjiang , Zhong Miao , Hou Yanan , Zhang Fang , Hu Guodong , Fang Jianguo
Published: March 2023

The development of small‐molecule probes suitable for live‐cell applications remains challenging yet highly desirable. We report the first fluorescent probe, RBH, for imaging the heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) activity in live cells after discovering hemin as a universal dark quencher. Hemin works via a static quenching mechanism and shows high quenching efficiency (>97 %) with fluorophores across a broad spectrum (λex=400–700 nm). The favorable properties of RBH (e.g. long excitation/emission wavelengths, fast response rate and high magnitude of signal increase) enable its use for determining HO‐1 activity in complex biological samples. As HO‐1 is involved in regulating antioxidant defence, iron homeostasis and gasotransmitter carbon monoxide production, we expect RBH to be a powerful tool for dissecting its functions. Also, the discovery of hemin as a general static dark quencher provides a straightforward strategy for constructing novel fluorescent probes for diverse biological species.
Harnessing the Structure and Dynamics of the Squalene‐Hopene Cyclase for (−)‐Ambroxide Production**
Authors: Schneider Andreas , Curado Christian , Lystbaek Thomas B. , Osuna Sílvia , Hauer Bernhard
Published: March 2023

Terpene cyclases offer enormous synthetic potential, given their unique ability to forge complex hydrocarbon scaffolds from achiral precursors within a single cationic rearrangement cascade. Harnessing their synthetic power, however, has proved to be challenging owing to their generally low catalytic performance. In this study, we unveiled the catalytic potential of the squalene‐hopene cyclase (SHC) by harnessing its structure and dynamics. First, we synergistically tailored the active site and entrance tunnel of the enzyme to generate a 397‐fold improved (−)‐ambroxide synthase. Our computational investigations explain how the introduced mutations work in concert to improve substrate acquisition, flow, and chaperoning. Kinetics, however, showed terpene‐induced inactivation of the membrane‐bound SHC to be the major turnover limitation in vivo. Merging this insight with the improved and stereoselective catalysis of the enzyme, we applied a feeding strategy to exceed 105 total turnovers. We believe that our results may bridge the gap for broader application of SHCs in synthetic chemistry.
High‐Throughput Optimization of Photochemical Reactions using Segmented‐Flow Nanoelectrospray‐Ionization Mass Spectrometry**
Authors: Sun Alexandra C. , Steyer Daniel J. , Robinson Richard I. , Ginsburg‐Moraff Carol , Plummer Scott , Gao Jinhai , Tucker Joseph W. , Alpers Dirk , Stephenson Corey R. J. , Kennedy Robert T.
Published: March 2023

Within the realm of drug discovery, high‐throughput experimentation techniques enable the rapid optimization of reactions and expedited generation of drug compound libraries for biological and pharmacokinetic evaluation. Herein we report the development of a segmented flow mass spectrometry‐based platform to enable the rapid exploration of photoredox reactions for early‐stage drug discovery. Specifically, microwell plate‐based photochemical reaction screens were reformatted to segmented flow format to enable delivery to nanoelectrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry analysis. This approach was demonstrated for the late‐stage modification of complex drug scaffolds, as well as the subsequent structure–activity relationship evaluation of synthesized analogs. This technology is anticipated to expand the robust capabilities of photoredox catalysis in drug discovery by enabling high‐throughput library diversification.
Metal‐Induced Planar Chirality of Soft‐Bridged Binuclear Platinum(II) Complexes: 100 % Phosphorescence Quantum Yields, Chiral Self‐Sorting, and Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Song Jintong , Xiao Hui , Zhang Bao , Qu Lang , Zhou Xiangge , Hu Ping , Xu Zong‐Xiang , Xiang Haifeng
Published: March 2023

PtII complexes have attracted a great deal of interest due to their rich phosphorescent properties. However, these square‐planar PtII complexes are far more likely to encounter the problems of lack of metal‐induced chirality and emission “aggregation‐caused quenching”. Herein, soft‐bridged binuclear PtII complexes bearing metal‐induced planar chirality were synthesized and characterized. These soft bridging ligands with smaller conjugated system would help to not only improve solubility for synthesis and enantioseparation but also introduce point chirality from amino acid for highly efficient diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, the intramolecular Pt−Pt distances could be well regulated by soft bridging ligands, and consequently the phosphorescence quantum yield up to 100 % could be achieved by shortening intramolecular Pt−Pt distance for first time. These complexes can be used as emitters in highly efficient solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes.
Fast Isomerization Before Isomerization‐Hydroformylation: Probing the Neglected Period with A Novel Microfluidic Device
Authors: Guan Fanfu , Qian Yu , Zhang Peiqi , Zhang Runtong , Zhang Xumu , Wen Jialin
Published: March 2023

By combining the concept of flash chemistry and radial synthesis, a novel microreactor (Flashstop reactor) was designed to study isomerization process of hydroformylation by a Rh/tetraphosphite catalyst in a time scale of seconds. It was found that in the initial 313 seconds, 60–99 % of 1‐octene was isomerized to 2‐ and 3‐octenes before the formation of aldehydes. Within this period, two different types of isomerization reactions were observed. It was proposed that a monohydride complex without CO ligand accounts for the ultrafast isomerization in the initial 30 seconds. The isomerization rate with such monohydride species was calculated much faster than that with the well‐known H(CO)Rh(P−P) species. Both experimental and DFT computational studies were carried out to support this assumption. Fast transformations early on in catalytic cycles have been rarely studied due to the lack of proper tools. We believe that the Flashstop reactor is a powerful tool for analysis of kinetics in gas‐liquid biphasic reactions within a time scale of seconds to minutes.
Photoinduced Fluorescence Switching in Molecular Aggregates by Topological [2+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Pan Guocui , Wu Zhiyuan , Liu Zhaoyang , Xu Bin , Tian Wenjing
Published: March 2023

The optical modulation of fluorescence characteristics in molecular aggregates, which mainly involves diverse molecular stacking and the consequent intermolecular interactions, remains a significant challenge for potential applications in optical anticounterfeiting, data storage, and imaging. Here we successfully realize in situ fluorescence switching in molecular aggregates of thianaphthene‐dioxide derivatives by topological [2+2] photocycloaddition, which represents a promising way to regulate the molecular stacking and alter photophysical processes. Notably, 2‐(3,5‐bis‐trifluoromethylphenyl)benzo[b]thiophene‐dioxide (BTO‐TF) in both crystal and powder forms exhibits a unique switching from an initial nonfluorescent state to a highly fluorescent state (ΦPL=0.46) upon UV irradiation, because of the destruction of the [2+2] cycloaddition process by volume expansion of the photodimer. Furthermore, we demonstrate such a [2+2] photocycloaddition can occur when 2‐(4‐carboxypheny)benzo[b]thiophene‐dioxide (BTO‐OH) is doped within selective polymer matrixes, and can be utilized for the visualization of macrophase separation in polymer blends.
Hand stencils and communal history: A case study from Auwim, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Tsang Roxanne , Katuk Sebastien , May Sally K. , Taçon Paul S.C. , Ricaut François‐Xavier , Leavesley Matthew G.
Published: March 2023

Hand stencils directly represent modern humans in landscape settings around the world. Yet their social and cultural contexts are often overlooked due to the lack of ethnography associated with the artwork. This paper explores the hand stencils from Kundumbue and Pundimbung rock art sites, situated in the traditional boundaries of the Auwim people in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. Combining archaeological rock art analysis with ethnographic knowledge, we demonstrate that the hand stencils are a priority in each clan's place‐making practices, around which they construct the community's social narratives. Rock shelters and their rock art also show a form of communal history that is evoked through their production in contemporary settings, in addition to having been a form of esoteric magic in the past. We conclude that hand stencils can have multiple meanings over time and across space as a widespread cultural marker. However, aspects of the identities of individuals, groups and communities who created the now static hand imagery, remain in place.
Recent Advances in Rhodium‐Catalyzed Electrochemical C−H Activation
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Maayuri Rajaram , Mantry Lusina , Gandeepan Parthasarathy
Published: March 2023

Rhodium‐catalyzed C−H activation has emerged as a powerful tool for forging C−C and C‐heteroatom bonds. Nevertheless, the requirement of stoichiometric chemical oxidants for oxidative transformations significantly hampered the overall sustainability of the C−H activation transformations. The emergence of merging transition metal catalysis and electrochemistry, called metalla‐electrocatalysis provides an excellent opportunity to construct organic molecules efficiently and sustainably. This review highlights the recent developments of rhodium‐catalyzed electrochemical C−H activation transformations, challenges and opportunities for future developments.