bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19: Cross Reactive Immunity, Herd Immunity, and Convalescent Serum Therapy
Authors: Ibrahim Nahla Khamis , A. Bagabir Hala Abubaker
Published: October 2021

Objective: To present various types of vaccines and viral infections which can induce cross-reactive immunity against COVID-19. In addition, this article discusses the role of herd immunity and convalescent serum therapy in preventing and controlling SARS CoV-2. The study also determined the claims and counterclaims about their protective and therapeutic effects.

Method: Non-systematic review was done using different articles done on cross-reactive immunity against COVID-19 through vaccinations, previous infections, herd immunity and the therapeutic effects of convalescence serum. The search was done on the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, WHO, Euro-surveillance, CDC databases.  

Results: Many observational correlational studies reported that BCG decreases the incidence and mortality from COVID-19. Furthermore, homology between the COVID-19 virus and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) viruses was discovered. Few studies suggested the presence of cross-immunity between MMR vaccine and SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, few studies suggested protective effects of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) against SARS-CoV-2; since both viruses are positive-single-strand RNA (+ssRNA). Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccines, particularly those that include inactivated whole pertussis vaccine, might induce B and T cell cross-reactive immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Other vaccines against Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Meningococcal meningitis vaccines are suggested also to induce some immunity against Covid-19.  It is hypothesized that infections with other Coronaviruses may cause protection against SARS-CoV-2. However, the studies done on these suggestions were mostly observational that can carry a high chance of inherent biases. There are also claims and counterclaims about the effect of herd immunity and convalescence serum on the prevention and control of Covid-19. So, appropriately designed RCTs are needed to prove or disprove their protective and therapeutic effects.

Conclusions: There are claims and counterclaims about the protective effects of different vaccines, previous infections, and herd immunity and regarding the therapeutic effects of convalescence serum. Comparing with other vaccines, BCG was suggested to have the highest cross-reactive epitopes against SARS-Cov-2 virus. MMR, OPV, DPT, Influenza, Pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines are suggested to protect against Covid-19. Previous infection with other Corona viruses, herd immunity and convalescence serum may play roles in the prevention and control of Covid-19. Many large clinical trials are undergoing nowadays and their results are needed to prove or disprove the cross-immunity related to SARS-CoV-2 and the effect of convalescence serum.
Updates in Digoxin Toxicity and Outcome of Management: A Review
Authors: Ibrahim Imad Ahmad , Alotaibi Raghad Abdullah , Almhmd Abdalah Emad , Alghamdi Rahaf Ibrahim , Almogbel Adnan Tawfiq , Alsaeri Amer Saleh
Published: October 2021

Cardiac glycosides, including digitalis and digoxin, have long-standing use in clinical practice. Digoxin has a half-life that varies from 36 to 48 hours, which may increase in cases of renal failure. Approximately 1% of Congestive Heart Failure patients treated with digoxin develop toxicity. The clinical features of toxicity are often non-specific. Diagnosis is difficult and usually made clinically, as levels of digoxin in the blood do not necessarily correlate with toxicity. Treatment involves early recognition and the administration of antibodies specifically against digoxin also known as Fab fragments. Digoxin concentration does not necessarily correlate with clinical symptoms of toxicity however digoxin concentrations may be used for calculating the amount of antidote therapy. Digoxin-specific antibody fragments are used when there is a risk of a life-threatening arrhythmia.
Manufacturing and Comparison of Sr Modified or Unmodified AlSi12 Eutectic Alloy Matrix Unimodal and Bimodal Composite Metal Foams
Authors: Leveles Borbála , Kemény Alexandra , Bubonyi Tamás , Orbulov Imre Norbert
Published: October 2021

Metallic foams are designed to be generally used by the transportation industry as energy‐absorbing reinforcements in bumper panels or as permanent cores for weight reduction. In composite metal foams (CMFs), the second phase is usually formed by hollow spheres or closed‐wall porous materials responsible for the gas (void) intake. Herein, three types of samples are compared: CMFs with unimodal small, unimodal large, and bimodally mixed small and large ceramic hollow spheres. Unmodified AlSi12 or Sr modified AlSi12 alloy is infiltrated between the spheres with low‐pressure infiltration to form the cellular structure. The effect of Sr modification on the matrix material properties and the matrix–filler interface layer is investigated. The samples are evaluated and compared based on microstructural analysis and standardized compressive tests; the fracture mechanism of the structure is analyzed using computed tomography measurements at different deformation states. The aim of this research is to develop high‐performance unimodal and bimodal CMFs, which have better specific mechanical properties than conventional metal foams, and to investigate the effect of Sr modification on the material properties. With these foams, additional weight reduction and higher energy absorption can be achieved, primarily used as automotive components.
Diffusion‐Triggered Synthesis of Mg2Si Based on Infiltrated Silicon Structures in Molten Mg
Authors: Heimann Johann , Jost Norbert
Published: October 2021

Magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) has many good properties and therefore shows a high application potential as thermoelectric material. Herein, the intermetallic layer growth behavior in the Mg–Si system is investigated. A process for synthesizing Mg2Si on the surface of open‐pore cellular Si structures is developed. The structure is fabricated by investment casting and followed by infiltration of magnesium. Subsequently, magnesium silicide is obtained by a two‐step heat treatment. Complete synthesis of Si to Mg2Si is achieved using a liquid–solid reaction between the liquid Mg and solid Si. The optimal heat treatment for the first step is at the eutectic temperature of 950 °C and for a duration of 120 min. The second treatment is at 1150 °C, slightly above the melting point of Mg2Si, and the remaining Si is synthesized. The resulting microstructures are analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).
Strain Modulation of Magnonic Frequency Comb by Magnon–Skyrmion Interaction in Ferromagnetic Materials
Authors: Sun Jiajun , Shi Shengbin , Wang Jie
Published: October 2021

The magnonic frequency comb (MFC) induced by magnon–skyrmion interaction not only exhibits interesting nonlinear physics but also can be used to detect magnetic solitons and defects in ferromagnetic materials. Modulating the tooth spacing of MFC is crucial for its application in magnon‐based devices. Herein, it is demonstrated from micromagnetic simulations that the MFC tooth spacing of ferromagnetic thin film can be effectively modulated by a biaxial in‐plane strain via magnetoelastic coupling. It is found that the MFC tooth spacing increases with the increase of compressive strain and decreases with the increase of tensile strain. The strain modulation of MFC tooth spacing stems from the strain‐dependent magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The detailed energy analysis shows that the larger the tooth spacing is, the higher the exchange energy is, and the lower the magnetoelastic and anisotropy energies are. In addition, when the biaxial in‐plane strain becomes nonequally axial (or anisotropic), the tooth spacing becomes smaller, accompanied by a decrease in the magnetoelastic energy. The results of this study suggest an effective way to modulate the tooth spacing of MFC by strain, which may hold a promise for application in tunable magnon‐based devices.
Global Alignment of Carbon Nanotubes via High Precision Microfluidic Dead‐End Filtration
Authors: Rust Christian , Li Han , Gordeev Georgy , Spari Manuel , Guttmann Markus , Jin Qihao , Reich Stephanie , Flavel Benjamin S.
Published: October 2021

Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) dispersed by negatively charged sodium deoxycholate (DOC) or positively charged cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) are shown to assemble into aligned films (3.8 cm2) on polycarbonate membranes by slow flow dead‐end filtration. Global alignment (S2D max ≈ 0.85) is obtained on both pristine polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated membranes and those with an intentional 150–600 nm groove pattern from hot embossing. In all cases, a custom microfluidic setup capable of precise control and measurement of the volume rate, transmembrane pressure, and the filtration resistance is used to follow SWCNT film formation. Conditions associated with the formation of SWCNT crystallites or their global alignment are identified and these are discussed in terms of membrane fouling and the interaction potential between the surface of the membrane and nanotubes. SWCNT alignment is characterized by cross‐polarized microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy.
Engineering DNA Nanostructures to Manipulate Immune Receptor Signaling and Immune Cell Fates
Authors: Tseng Chung Yi , Wang Wendy Xueyi , Douglas Travis Robert , Chou Leo Y. T.
Published: October 2021

Immune cells sense, communicate, and logically integrate a multitude of environmental signals to make important cell‐fate decisions and fulfill their effector functions. These processes are initiated and regulated by a diverse array of immune receptors and via their dynamic spatiotemporal organization upon ligand binding. Given the widespread relevance of the immune system to health and disease, there have been significant efforts toward understanding the biophysical principles governing immune receptor signaling and activation, as well as the development of biomaterials which exploit these principles for therapeutic immune engineering. Here, how advances in the field of DNA nanotechnology constitute a growing toolbox for further pursuit of these endeavors is discussed. Key cellular players involved in the induction of immunity against pathogens or diseased cells are first summarized. How the ability to design DNA nanostructures with custom shapes, dynamics, and with site‐specific incorporation of diverse guests can be leveraged to manipulate the signaling pathways that regulate these processes is then presented. It is followed by highlighting emerging applications of DNA nanotechnology at the crossroads of immune engineering, such as in vitro reconstitution platforms, vaccines, and adjuvant delivery systems. Finally, outstanding questions that remain for further advancing immune‐modulatory DNA nanodevices are outlined.
Ambient Temperature Stable, Scalable COVID‐19 Polymer Particle Vaccines Induce Protective Immunity
Authors: Chen Shuxiong , Evert Benjamin , Adeniyi Adetayo , Salla‐Martret Mercè , Lua Linda H.‐L. , Ozberk Victoria , Pandey Manisha , Good Michael F. , Suhrbier Andreas , Halfmann Peter , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Rehm Bernd H. A.
Published: October 2021

There is an unmet need for safe and effective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccines that are stable and can be cost‐effectively produced at large scale. Here, a biopolymer particle (BP) vaccine technology that can be quickly adapted to new and emerging variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 is used. Coronavirus antigen‐coated BPs are described as vaccines against SARS‐CoV‐2. The spike protein subunit S1 or epitopes from S and M proteins (SM) plus/minus the nucleocapsid protein (N) are selected as antigens to either coat BPs during assembly inside engineered Escherichia coli or BPs are engineered to specifically ligate glycosylated spike protein (S1‐ICC) produced by using baculovirus expression in insect cell culture (ICC). BP vaccines are safe and immunogenic in mice. BP vaccines, SM‐BP‐N and S1‐ICC‐BP induced protective immunity in the hamster SARS‐CoV‐2 infection model as shown by reduction of virus titers up to viral clearance in lungs post infection. The BP platform offers the possibility for rapid design and cost‐effective large‐scale manufacture of ambient temperature stable and globally available vaccines to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.
Lateral Fully Organic P–N Diodes Created in a Single Donor–Acceptor Copolymer
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Yizhuo , Li Kuncai , Dai Xu , Zhang Liuyang , Wang Hong
Published: October 2021

P–N junctions exist in many solid‐state organic devices, such as light‐emitting diodes, solar cells, and thermoelectric devices. Creating P–N junctions by bulk chemical doping in a single organic material (like silicon doped by boron and phosphorus) may capitalize the vast scientific and technological groundwork established in the inorganic semiconducting field. However, high‐performance single‐organic‐material P–N junctions are seldom reported, because the diffusion of the dopant counterions often leads to transient rectification properties. Herein, a new type of lateral fully organic diodes created in single donor–acceptor (D–A) copolymer films with only one P‐type dopant is reported. The achieved lateral devices exhibit high current densities of ≈3.83 A cm−2 and a high rectification ratio of ≈2100, which are beyond the requirements for high‐frequency identification tags. The P‐ to N‐type polarity switching mechanism is proposed after spectroscopic and structural tests. Decent stability of the organic diode is obtained, which is due to the long channel length and low diffusion speed of the large size of dopants. This work opens the opportunities to create P–N junctions in ways of silicon‐based inorganic semiconductors and promises new opportunities for integrating organic materials for flexible and printable organic devices.
Suppressing the Step Effect of 3D Printing for Constructing Contact Lenses
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wu Lei , Zou Miaomiao , Zhang Lidian , Song Yanlin
Published: November 2021

3D printing has been considered as a sustainable method to construct complicated 3D structures. However, the step effect induced by the traditional point‐by‐point or layer‐by‐layer additive manufacturing mode inevitably occurs and remains an obstacle to realizing the smoothness and uniformity of 3D samples. Here, a continuous liquid film confined 3D printing strategy is proposed to fabricate high‐precision 3D structures based on the Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology. With the control of the confinement of the liquid–solid interface and the continuous printing mode, liquid film adhering to the cured structure is sucked into the cured layer structures with excess resin adhering to the cured structure scraping off, where the step effect is eliminated and post‐washing is avoided. The morphology and dimension of the confined liquid film can be well regulated by ink properties and printing parameters to optimize the surface smoothness and printing fidelity. In addition, heat accumulation and thermal diffusion are also suppressed, ensuring the long‐term printing stability. A centimeter‐scale contact lens structure with central thickness of ≈135 µm comparable to commercial ones can be printed, which possesses extreme smoothness (sub 1.3 nm), homogeneous mechanical characteristic, biocompatibility, and high optical properties with imaging resolution of up to 228.1 lp mm−1.
A Hydrogel Ionic Circuit Based High‐Intensity Iontophoresis Device for Intraocular Macromolecule and Nanoparticle Delivery
Authors: Zhao Fan , Fan Shan , Ghate Deepta , Romanova Svetlana , Bronich Tatiana K. , Zhao Siwei
Published: October 2021

Iontophoresis is an electrical‐current‐based, noninvasive drug‐delivery technology, which is particularly suitable for intraocular drug delivery. Current ocular iontophoresis devices use low current intensities that significantly limit macromolecule and nanoparticle (NP) delivery efficiency. Increasing current intensity leads to ocular tissue damage. Here, an iontophoresis device based on a hydrogel ionic circuit (HIC), for high‐efficiency intraocular macromolecule and NP delivery, is described. The HIC‐based device is capable of minimizing Joule heating, effectively buffering electrochemical (EC) reaction‐generated pH changes, and absorbing electrode overpotential‐induced heating. As a result, the device allows safe application of high current intensities (up to 87 mA cm−2, more than 10 times higher than current ocular iontophoresis devices) to the eye with minimal ocular cell death and tissue damage. The high‐intensity iontophoresis significantly enhances macromolecule and NP delivery to both the anterior and posterior segments by up to 300 times compared to the conventional iontophoresis. Therapeutically effective concentrations of bevacizumab and dexamethasone are delivered to target tissue compartments within 10–20 min of iontophoresis application. This study highlights the significant safety enhancement enabled by an HIC‐based device design and the potential of the device to deliver therapeutic doses of macromolecule and NP ophthalmic drugs within a clinically relevant time frame.
MIL‐96‐Al for Li–S Batteries: Shape or Size?
Authors: Geng Pengbiao , Wang Lei , Du Meng , Bai Yang , Li Wenting , Liu Yanfang , Chen Shuangqiang , Braunstein Pierre , Xu Qiang , Pang Huan
Published: November 2021

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with controllable shapes and sizes show a great potential in Li–S batteries. However, neither the relationship between shape and specific capacity nor the influence of MOF particle size on cyclic stability have been fully established yet. Herein, MIL‐96‐Al with various shapes, forming hexagonal platelet crystals (HPC), hexagonal bipyramidal crystals (HBC), and hexagonal prismatic bipyramidal crystals (HPBC) are successfully prepared via cosolvent methods. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the HBC shape with highly exposed (101) planes can effectively adsorb lithium polysulfides (LPS) during the charge/discharge process. By changing the relative proportion of the cosolvents, HBC samples with different particle sizes are prepared. When these MIL‐96‐Al crystals are used as sulfur host materials, it is found that those with a smaller size of the HBC shape deliver higher initial capacity. These investigations establish that different crystal planes have different adsorption abilities for LPS, and that the MOF particle size should be considered for a suitable sulfur host. More broadly, this work provides a strategy for designing sulfur hosts in Li–S batteries.
Effect of Powder ALD Interface Modification on the Thermoelectric Performance of Bismuth
Authors: He Shiyang , Bahrami Amin , Zhang Xiang , Martínez Ignacio González , Lehmann Sebastian , Nielsch Kornelius
Published: October 2021

In thermoelectric materials, phase boundaries are crucial for carrier/phonon transport. Manipulation of carrier and phonon scatterings by introducing continuous interface modification has been shown to improve thermoelectric performance. In this paper, a strategy of interface modification based on powder atomic layer deposition (PALD) is introduced to accurately control and modify the phase boundary of pure bismuth. Ultrathin layers of Al2O3, TiO2, and ZnO are deposited on Bi powder by typically 1–20 cycles. All of the oxide layers significantly alter the microstructure and suppressed grain growth. These hierarchical interface modifications aid in the formation of an energy barrier by the oxide layer, resulting in a substantial increase in the Seebeck coefficient that is superior to that of most pure polycrystalline metals. Conversely, taking advantage of the strong electron and phonon scattering, an exceptionally large decrease in thermal conductivity is obtained. A maximum figure of merit, zT, of 0.15 at 393 K and an average zT of 0.14 at 300–453 K were achieved in 5 cycles of Al2O3‐coated Bi. The ALD‐based approach, as a practical interfacial modification technique, can be easily applied to other thermoelectric materials, which can contribute to the development of high‐performance thermoelectric materials of great significance.
Revealing the Effect of Nanoscopic Design on the Charge Carrier Separation Processes in Semiconductor‐Metal Nanoparticle Gel Networks
Authors: Schlenkrich Jakob , Zámbó Dániel , Schlosser Anja , Rusch Pascal , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: October 2021

In this paper, it is shown that the nanoscopic design of combining semiconductors and noble metals has a direct impact on the macroscopic (electrochemical) properties of their assembled, hyperbranched, macroscopic gel networks. Controlled and arbitrary deposition of gold domains on CdSe/CdS nanorods leads to tipped and randomly decorated heteroparticles, respectively. Structural and optical properties of the gel networks depend upon assembling the hybrid particles by means of oxidative or ionic routes. Additionally, the impact of different building block designs on the charge carrier separation processes is investigated from spectroelectrochemical point of view. A more efficient charge carrier separation is revealed in the tipped design manifesting in higher negative photocurrent efficiencies compared to the arbitrary decoration, where the charge recombination processes are more remarkable. This work sheds light on the importance of the nanostructuring on the spectroelectrochemical properties at the macroscale paving the way towards their use in photochemical reactions.
Single‐Crystal Organic Heterostructure for Single‐Mode Unidirectional Whispering‐Gallery‐Mode Laser
Authors: Chen Song , Wang Xue‐Dong , Zhuo Ming‐Peng , Wei Guo‐Qing , Wu Jun‐Jie , Liao Liang‐Sheng
Published: October 2021

Organic single crystals have attracted great attention for solid‐state lasers owing to their smooth morphologies with inherent optical microcavity, ordered molecular packing mode with minimized defects density, and high photoluminescence quantum efficiency. However, the organic single‐crystal lasers, including whispering‐gallery‐mode (WGM) lasers with nondirectional emission and Fabry–Perot (F–P) lasers with inherent high‐lasing threshold, cannot achieve state‐of‐the‐art performance. Herein, the hierarchical self‐assembly of organic single‐crystal heterostructures made from cube‐shaped microdisks with optical gain and microwires with optical waveguide characteristics is demonstrated, which realize the unidirectional WGM laser action with a low‐lasing threshold of ≈600 nJ cm−2. The lattice mismatch rate principle contributes to the growth of these single‐crystal organic heterostructures. More significantly, the waveguide‐coupled WGM microcavity with a coupling coefficient of 28.8% proves that the unidirectional outcoupling of the single‐crystal WGM lasers from the single‐crystal wire waveguides is achieved. The results will pave an alternative avenue for high‐performance organic single‐crystal lasers.
Machine‐Learning Microstructure for Inverse Material Design
Authors: Pei Zongrui , Rozman Kyle A. , Doğan Ömer N. , Wen Youhai , Gao Nan , Holm Elizabeth A. , Hawk Jeffrey A. , Alman David E. , Gao Michael C.
Published: October 2021

Metallurgy and material design have thousands of years’ history and have played a critical role in the civilization process of humankind. The traditional trial‐and‐error method has been unprecedentedly challenged in the modern era when the number of components and phases in novel alloys keeps increasing, with high‐entropy alloys as the representative. New opportunities emerge for alloy design in the artificial intelligence era. Here, a successful machine‐learning (ML) method has been developed to identify the microstructure images with eye‐challenging morphology for a number of martensitic and ferritic steels. Assisted by it, a new neural‐network method is proposed for the inverse design of alloys with 20 components, which can accelerate the design process based on microstructure. The method is also readily applied to other material systems given sufficient microstructure images. This work lays the foundation for inverse alloy design based on microstructure images with extremely similar features.
High‐Throughput and Dosage‐Controlled Intracellular Delivery of Large Cargos by an Acoustic‐Electric Micro‐Vortices Platform
Authors: Aghaamoo Mohammad , Chen Yu‐Hsi , Li Xuan , Garg Neha , Jiang Ruoyu , Yun Jeremy Tian‐Hao , Lee Abraham Phillip
Published: October 2021

A high‐throughput non‐viral intracellular delivery platform is introduced for the transfection of large cargos with dosage‐control. This platform, termed Acoustic‐Electric Shear Orbiting Poration (AESOP), optimizes the delivery of intended cargo sizes with poration of the cell membranes via mechanical shear followed by the modulated expansion of these nanopores via electric field. Furthermore, AESOP utilizes acoustic microstreaming vortices wherein up to millions of cells are trapped and mixed uniformly with exogenous cargos, enabling the delivery of cargos into cells with targeted dosages. Intracellular delivery of a wide range of molecule sizes (<1 kDa to 2 MDa) with high efficiency (>90%), cell viability (>80%), and uniform dosages (<60% coefficient of variation (CV)) simultaneously into 1 million cells min−1 per single chip is demonstrated. AESOP is successfully applied to two gene editing applications that require the delivery of large plasmids: i) enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) plasmid (6.1 kbp) transfection, and ii) clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐Cas9‐mediated gene knockout using a 9.3 kbp plasmid DNA encoding Cas9 protein and single guide RNA (sgRNA). Compared to alternative platforms, this platform offers dosage‐controlled intracellular delivery of large plasmids simultaneously to large populations of cells while maintaining cell viability at comparable delivery efficiencies.
Optical Inspection of 2D Materials: From Mechanical Exfoliation to Wafer‐Scale Growth and Beyond
Authors: Lee Yang‐Chun , Chang Sih‐Wei , Chen Shu‐Hsien , Chen Shau‐Liang , Chen Hsuen‐Li
Published: October 2021

Optical inspection is a rapid and non‐destructive method for characterizing the properties of two‐dimensional (2D) materials. With the aid of optical inspection, in situ and scalable monitoring of the properties of 2D materials can be implemented industrially to advance the development and progress of 2D material‐based devices toward mass production. This review discusses the optical inspection techniques that are available to characterize various 2D materials, including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), group‐III monochalcogenides, black phosphorus (BP), and group‐IV monochalcogenides. First, the authors provide an introduction to these 2D materials and the processes commonly used for their fabrication. Then they review several of the important structural properties of 2D materials, and discuss how to characterize them using appropriate optical inspection tools. The authors also describe the challenges and opportunities faced when applying optical inspection to recently developed 2D materials, from mechanically exfoliated to wafer‐scale‐grown 2D materials. Most importantly, the authors summarize the techniques available for largely and precisely enhancing the optical signals from 2D materials. This comprehensive review of the current status and perspective of future trends for optical inspection of the structural properties of 2D materials will facilitate the development of next‐generation 2D material‐based devices.
Neutralizing Antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 Selected from a Human Antibody Library Constructed Decades Ago
Authors: Qiang Min , Ma Peixiang , Li Yu , Liu Hejun , Harding Adam , Min Chenyu , Wang Fulian , Liu Lili , Yuan Meng , Ji Qun , Tao Pingdong , Shi Xiaojie , Li Zhean , Li Teng , Wang Xian , Zhang Yu , Wu Nicholas C. , Lee Chang‐Chun D. , Zhu Xueyong , Gilbert‐Jaramillo Javier , Zhang Chuyue , Saxena Abhishek , Huang Xingxu , Wang Hou , James William , Dwek Raymond A. , Wilson Ian A. , Yang Guang , Lerner Richard A.
Published: October 2021

Combinatorial antibody libraries not only effectively reduce antibody discovery to a numbers game, but enable documentation of the history of antibody responses in an individual. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic has prompted a wider application of this technology to meet the public health challenge of pandemic threats in the modern era. Herein, a combinatorial human antibody library constructed 20 years before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is used to discover three highly potent antibodies that selectively bind SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and neutralize authentic SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. Compared to neutralizing antibodies from COVID‐19 patients with generally low somatic hypermutation (SHM), these three antibodies contain over 13–22 SHMs, many of which are involved in specific interactions in their crystal structures with SARS‐CoV‐2 spike receptor binding domain. The identification of these somatically mutated antibodies in a pre‐pandemic library raises intriguing questions about the origin and evolution of these antibodies with respect to their reactivity with SARS‐CoV‐2.
Dual‐Depletion of Intratumoral Lactate and ATP with Radicals Generation for Cascade Metabolic‐Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Tian Feng , Wang Shiyao , Shi Keda , Zhong Xingjian , Gu Yutian , Fan Yadi , Zhang Yu , Yang Mo
Published: October 2021

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that lactate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) both play important roles in regulating abnormal metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Herein, an O2 self‐supplying catalytic nanoagent, based on tannic acid (TA)–Fe(III) coordination complexes‐coated perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) nanodroplets with lactate oxidases (LOX) loading (PFOB@TA–Fe(III)–LOX, PTFL), is designed for cascade metabolic‐chemodynamic therapy (CDT) by dual‐depletion of lactate and ATP with hydroxyl •OH radicals generation. Benefiting from the catalytic property of loaded LOX and O2 self‐supplying of PFOB nanodroplets, PTFL nanoparticles (NPs) efficiently deplete tumoral lactate for down‐regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression and supplement the insufficient endogenous H2O2 . Simultaneously, TA–Fe(III) complexes release Fe(III) ions and TA in response to intracellular up‐regulated ATP in tumor cells followed by TA‐mediated Fe(III)/Fe(II) conversion, leading to the depletion of energy source ATP and the generation of cytotoxic •OH radicals from H2O2. Moreover, TA–Fe(III) complexes provide photoacoustic contrast as imaging guidance to enhance therapeutic accuracy. As a result, PTFL NPs efficiently accumulate in tumors for suppression of tumor growth and show evidence of anti‐angiogenesis and anti‐metastasis effects. This multifunctional nanoagent may provide new insight for targeting abnormal tumor metabolism with the combination of CDT to achieve a synergistic therapeutic effect.
2D Layered Material Alloys: Synthesis and Application in Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Yao Jiandong , Yang Guowei
Published: November 2021

2D layered materials (2DLMs) have come under the limelight of scientific and engineering research and broke new ground across a broad range of disciplines in the past decade. Nevertheless, the members of stoichiometric 2DLMs are relatively limited. This renders them incompetent to fulfill the multitudinous scenarios across the breadth of electronic and optoelectronic applications since the characteristics exhibited by a specific material are relatively monotonous and limited. Inspiringly, alloying of 2DLMs can markedly broaden the 2D family through composition modulation and it has ushered a whole new research domain: 2DLM alloy nano‐electronics and nano‐optoelectronics. This review begins with a comprehensive survey on synthetic technologies for the production of 2DLM alloys, which include chemical vapor transport, chemical vapor deposition, pulsed‐laser deposition, and molecular beam epitaxy, spanning their development, as well as, advantages and disadvantages. Then, the up‐to‐date advances of 2DLM alloys in electronic devices are summarized. Subsequently, the up‐to‐date advances of 2DLM alloys in optoelectronic devices are summarized. In the end, the ongoing challenges of this emerging field are highlighted and the future opportunities are envisioned, which aim to navigate the coming exploration and fully exert the pivotal role of 2DLMs toward the next generation of electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Discovery of Dome‐Shaped Superconducting Phase and Anisotropic Transport in a van der Waals Layered Candidate NbIrTe4 under Pressure
Authors: Jin Meiling , Yu Peng , Fan Changzeng , Li Qiang , Kong Panlong , Shen Zhiwei , Qin Xiaomei , Chi Zhenhua , Jin Changqing , Liu Guangtong , Zhong Guyue , Xu Gang , Liu Zheng , Zhu Jinlong
Published: November 2021

The unique electronic structure and crystal structure driven by external pressure in transition metal tellurides (TMTs) can host unconventional quantum states. Here, the discovery of pressure‐induced phase transition at ≈2 GPa, and dome‐shaped superconducting phase emerged in van der Waals layered NbIrTe4 is reported. The highest critical temperature (Tc) is ≈5.8 K at pressure of ≈16 GPa, where the interlayered Te–Te covalent bonds form simultaneously derived from the synchrotron diffraction data, indicating the hosting structure of superconducting evolved from low‐pressure two‐dimensional (2D) phase to three‐dimensional (3D) structure with pressure higher than 30 GPa. Strikingly, the authors have found an anisotropic transport in the vicinity of the superconducting state, suggesting the emergence of a “stripe”‐like phase. The dome‐shaped superconducting phase and anisotropic transport are possibly due to the spatial modulation of interlayer Josephson coupling .
Biredox‐Ionic Anthraquinone‐Coupled Ethylviologen Composite Enables Reversible Multielectron Redox Chemistry for Li‐Organic Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhongju , Fan Qianqian , Guo Wei , Yang Changchun , Fu Yongzhu
Published: October 2021

Organic compounds bearing redox‐active ionic pairs as electrode materials for high‐performance rechargeable batteries have gained growing attention owing to the properties of synthetic tunability, high theoretical capacity, and low solubility. Herein, an innovative biredox‐ionic composite, i.e., ethylviologen dianthraquinone‐2‐sulfonate (EV‐AQ2), affording multiple and reversible active sites as a cathode material in lithium‐organic batteries is reported. EV‐AQ2 exhibits a high initial capacity of 199.2 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C rate, which corresponds to the transfer of two electrons from one redox couple EV2+/EV0 and four electrons from two redox‐active AQ− anions. It is notable that EV‐AQ2 shows remarkably improved cyclability compared to the precursors. The capacity retention is 89% and the Coulombic efficiency approaches 100% over 120 cycles at 0.5 C rate. The results offer evidence that AQ− into the EV2+ scaffold with multiple redox sites are promising in developing high‐energy‐density organic rechargeable batteries.
A 4D Printable Shape Memory Vitrimer with Repairability and Recyclability through Network Architecture Tailoring from Commercial Poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Joe Jungho , Shin Jeehae , Choi Yong‐Seok , Hwang Jae Hyuk , Kim Sang Hwa , Han Jiseok , Park Bumsoo , Lee Woohwa , Park Sungmin , Kim Yong Seok , Kim Dong‐Gyun
Published: October 2021

Vitrimers have shown advantages over conventional thermosets via capabilities of dynamic network rearrangement to endow repairability as well as recyclability. Based on such characteristics, vitrimers have been studied and have shown promises as a 3D printing ink material that can be recycled with the purpose of waste reduction. However, despite the brilliant approaches, there still remain limitations regarding requirement of new reagents for recycling the materials or reprintability issues. Here, a new class of a 4D printable vitrimer that is translated from a commercial poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) resin is reported to exhibit self‐healability, weldability, reprocessability, as well as reprintability. Thus, formed 3D‐printed vitrimer products show superior heat resistance in comparison to commercial PCL prints, and can be repeatedly reprocessed or reprinted via filament extrusion and a handheld fused deposition modeling (FDM)‐based 3D printing method. Furthermore, incorporation of semicrystalline PCL renders capabilities of shape memory for 4D printing applications, and as far as it is known, such demonstration of FDM 3D‐printed shape memory vitrimers has not been realized yet. It is envisioned that this work can fuel advancement in 4D printing industries by suggesting a new material candidate with all‐rounded capabilities with minimized environmental challenges.
A Tandem Electrocatalysis of Sulfur Reduction by Bimetal 2D MOFs
Authors: Meng Ruijin , Du Qijun , Zhong Ning , Zhou Xing , Liu Shuhu , Yin Shuangfeng , Liang Xiao
Published: October 2021

The diversity and coupling of sulfur redox intermediates and its associated solid‐liquid‐solid multiphase conversion mechanism pose great challenges in designing a proper electrocatalysts for Li–S batteries. In this report, it is proposed that an ideal catalyst should possess two catalytic centers which catalyze liquid–liquid conversion and liquid–solid conversion in tandem within one structure, with the use of 2D MOF nanosheets with different metal centers for validation. It is uncovered that the Ni‐MOF is more effective in catalyzing the reduction of long‐chain polysulfides, while Co‐MOF benefits the Li2S deposition kinetics. Moreover, synergistic sulfur electrocatalytic activity for the integrated bimetal CoNi‐MOF is witnessed. It greatly decreases the reaction activation energies, accelerates the faradaic current density for both of the reaction regions, and effectively inhibits the shuttle effect. This is attributed to charge redistribution between Ni and Co via bridge O in the MOF structure. The S@CoNi‐MOF composite endows high reversible capacity (1450 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C), enhanced cycling stability (500 cycles at 1 C with a low‐capacity decay rate of 0.036% per cycle), and improved rate capability.
Unveiling the Influence of the Spectral Irradiance of Indoor Light‐Emitting Diodes on the Photovoltaics of a Methylammonium Lead Iodide‐Based Device
Authors: Supasai Thidarat , Soe Kay Thi , Smerchit Thapanut , Azad Farhad , Thongprong Non , Kayunkid Navaphun , Tang I-Ming , Kumnorkaew Pisist , Kaewprajak Anusit , Tangwarodomnukun Viboon , Li Youyong , Chanyawadee Soontorn , Yuan Jianyu , Rujisamphan Nopporn
Published: October 2021

An understanding of the spectrum–property relationship of perovskite solar cells when illuminated by light‐emitting diodes that are used for indoor applications is necessary. Herein, it is aimed to explore the influences of correlated‐color temperatures on a MAPbI3‐based device under low‐light conditions. Given an irradiance of approximately 3 W m−2 (or ≈1000 lx), a maximum free carrier generation rate of 1.0 × 1021 m−3 s−1 was found. Additionally, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 31.97%, 30.36%, and 28.98% with maximum power outputs of 13.66, 13.02, and 16.09 μW could be reached at 3000, 4000, and 6500 K, respectively. Additional increases in the PCEs were observed when high‐energy blue light (in a range of 400–550 nm) was excluded during the current–voltage sweeps. In combination with the surface photovoltage measurements, intense blue light (under 6500 K) had a minimal influence on the photoinduced charge separation signals when compared to those caused by 3000 and 4000 K light. As a solar cell, the PCE reached as high as 34.52%, which corresponded to 73.08% of the thermodynamic limit of its bandgap at 3000 K.
Gateway‐node wireless data collection system for environmental sensing
Authors: Thompson Alondra I. , Schomberg Harry H. , Evett Steven R. , Fisher Daniel K. , Mirsky Steven B. , Reberg‐Horton S. Chris
Published: October 2021

Advances in open‐source microcontroller (MC) technologies have created opportunities for development of low‐cost real‐time environmental data collection systems. An inexpensive system based on the ARDUINO‐MC was developed using a gateway‐node architecture enabling us to collect environmental sensor data across climates and soil types. Printed circuit boards and breakout modules made assembly quick and easy. Nodes interfaced with serial digital interface at 1200 Bd time domain reflectometry soil water sensors, which require higher input voltage and use more complex communication than other sensors commonly used with MC‐based data loggers. Maintaining time synchronization between the nodes and gateways was critical to their ability to communicate and limit field traffic. Power consumption and supply issues and the inability to regularly monitor units led to data loss. Incorporating cellular capability to the gateway gave researchers and technicians near real‐time access to data and opened opportunities for their use in automated databases and visualization dashboards. This paper describes the design, testing, and use of the system during its first two field seasons. This system exemplifies how researchers can economically collect environmental data from remote locations by leveraging the potential of microcontrollers in custom data acquisition systems. Arduino sketches and other materials are available at https://github.com/ArduinoSoilH2O.
In Situ Nondestructive Fatigue‐Life Prediction of Additive Manufactured Parts by Establishing a Process–Defect–Property Relationship
Authors: Seifi Seyyed Hadi , Yadollahi Aref , Tian Wenmeng , Doude Haley , Hammond Vincent H. , Bian Linkan
Published: October 2021

The presence of process‐induced internal defects (i.e., pores, microcracks, and lack‐of‐fusions) significantly deteriorates the structural durability of parts fabricated by additive manufacturing. However, traditional defects characterization techniques, such as X‐ray CT and ultrasonic scanning, are costly and time‐consuming. There is a research gap in the nondestructive evaluation of fatigue performance directly from the process signature of laser‐based additive manufacturing processes. Herein, a novel two‐phase modeling methodology is proposed for fatigue life prediction based on in situ monitoring of thermal history. Phase (I) includes a convolutional neural network designed to detect the relative size of the defects (i.e., small gas pores and large lack‐of‐fusions) by leveraging processed thermal images. Subsequently, a fatigue‐life prediction model is trained in Phase (II) by incorporating the defect characteristics extracted from Phase (I) to evaluate the fatigue performance. Estimating defect characteristics from the in situ thermal history facilitates the fatigue predicting process.
Novel solid biopolymer electrolyte based on methyl cellulose with enhanced ion transport properties
Authors: Koliyoor Jayalakshmi , Ismayil  , Hegde Shreedatta , Vasachar Ravindrachary , Sanjeev Ganesh
Published: October 2021

Magnesium ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte films are prepared with biodegradable methyl cellulose and Mg(NO3)2.6H2O by solution casting method. FTIR spectrum of the films confirmed the interaction between the polymer host and the metal salt. FTIR deconvolution gives a clear picture of the percentage of free ions with the salt concentration variation. Structural modification of the polymer upon salt doping are studied with XRD analysis. Glass transition temperature of the pristine film is found to increase with the concentration of the salt, which is attributed to an increase in the coordination between Mg+2 and oxygen atoms of the polymer matrix and formation of transient crosslinks. TGA analysis accounts for the thermal stability of the electrolyte films. The electrical properties of the films have been analyzed, and the values of ionic conductivities of the films were calculated. Electrolyte film with 25 wt% of the salt, which is highly amorphous, is found to have the highest room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 1.02 × 10−4 S cm−1. SEM micrographs show variation in the surface morphology of the electrolytes with the variation in the concentration of the salt. The films' electrochemical stability window and ionic transference number are calculated to find the suitability for energy storage applications.
Vascularization of iNSC spheroid in a 3D spheroid‐on‐a‐chip platform enhances neural maturation
Authors: Shin Nari , Kim Youngtaek , Ko Jihoon , Choi Soon Won , Hyung Sujin , Lee Seung‐Eun , Park Seunghyuk , Song Jiyoung , Jeon Noo Li , Kang Kyung‐Sun
Published: October 2021

In vitro platforms for studying the human brain have been developed, and brain organoids derived from stem cells have been studied. However, current organoid models lack three‐dimensional (3D) vascular networks, limiting organoid proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we created a 3D model of vascularized spheroid cells using an injection‐molded microfluidic chip. We cocultured spheroids derived from induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) with perfusable blood vessels. Gene expression analysis and immunostaining revealed that the vascular network greatly enhanced spheroid differentiation and reduced apoptosis. This platform can be used to further study the functional and structural interactions between blood vessels and neural spheroids, and ultimately to simulate brain development and disease.
A transfer learning approach for predictive modeling of bioprocesses using small data
Authors: Rogers Alexander W. , Vega‐Ramon Fernando , Yan Jiangtao , del Río‐Chanona Ehecatl A. , Jing Keju , Zhang Dongda
Published: October 2021

Predictive modeling of new biochemical systems with small data is a great challenge. To fill this gap, transfer learning, a subdomain of machine learning that serves to transfer knowledge from a generalized model to a more domain‐specific model, provides a promising solution. While transfer learning has been used in natural language processing, image analysis, and chemical engineering fault detection, its application within biochemical engineering has not been systematically explored. In this study, we demonstrated the benefits of transfer learning when applied to predict dynamic behaviors of new biochemical processes. Two different case studies were presented to investigate the accuracy, reliability, and advantage of this innovative modeling approach. We thoroughly discussed the different transfer learning strategies and the effects of topology on transfer learning, comparing the performance of the transfer learning models against benchmark kinetic and data‐driven models. Furthermore, strong connections between the underlying process mechanism and the transfer learning model's optimal structure were highlighted, suggesting the interpretability of transfer learning to enable more accurate prediction than a naive data‐driven modeling approach. Therefore, this study shows a novel approach to effectively combining data from different resources for bioprocess simulation.