bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Definitive chemoradiotherapy in elderly patients with esophageal cancer: Safety and outcome
Authors: Kiladze Ivane , Chkhaidze Lika , Iovashvili Aleksandre , Natelauri Eteri , Sokurashvili Besik , Mariamidze Elene , Kacheishvili Nikoloz , Jeremic Branislav
Published: March 2023

Objective: The efficacy and safety of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for elderly patients with unresectable esophageal cancer (EC) are not yet fully understood. We conducted this study to evaluate the outcome and toxicity in elder patients (65 years and over) of unresectable EC treated with dCRT.

Methods: From four Georgian cancer centers with a radiation oncology department, we identified 44 elderly patients with EC suitable according to the study criteria. Overall survival (OS) was estimated from the beginning of treatment and toxicity scored using CTCAE 5.0 criteria.

Results: The median age of patients was 70.0 years (range 65–83 years), with male predominance (77.3%) and 59% of patients were with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 1. Because of significant dysphagia (grade 3–4) nine patients underwent intervention (stenting or gastrostomy) before dCRT. More than two‐thirds of patients were squamous cell histological type (77.3%). Localization of tumors was equally distributed between the middle and lower parts of the esophagus (38.6%) and in 26 patients (59.1%) tumor length was more than 5 cm. The majority of patients had stage III disease (61.4%).

Median survival was 16.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–35.9). OS at 12 and 24 months was 53.7% and 43.6%, respectively. Fifteen patients (34%) were alive from 2.1 to 5.4 years after treatment. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.011) in median OS was found between patients who received full (not reached) versus overall survival (OS) was 9.0 months in patients who received nonfull dose of radiotherapy (RT) (95% CI 2.79–15.2). Additional analysis between age subgroups revealed that elder subgroup patients (>75 years) had the highest OS, compared to younger (65–70 years) and intermediate groups (71–75 years) (p = 0.001). The most common adverse events were grade 3–4 leukopenia (43.2%), anemia (29.5%), and esophagitis (27.3%).

Conclusion: The results of our study support the feasibility and efficacy of dCRT for unresectable EC in carefully selected elderly patients. Survival was correlated to complete dose of RT and therefore accurate selection of patients is crucial for better long‐term survival. Our study showed that chronological age alone does not reflect a patient's ability to tolerate dCRT. Toxicity of dCRT is always a very important issue and patient selection must be very cautious in geriatric patients, although dCRT might benefit highly selected patients.
RNA interference of PHB1 enhances virulence of Vip3Aa to Sf9 cells and Spodoptera frugiperda larvae
Authors: An Baoju , Zhang Yizhuo , Yan Bing , Cai Jun
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

In our previous work, we demonstrated that prohibitin 2 (PHB2) on the membrane of Sf9 cells was a receptor for Vip3Aa, and PHB2 in mitochondria contributed to the mitochondrial stability to reduce Vip3Aa toxicity. Prohibitin 1 (PHB1), another prohibitin family member, forms heterodimers with PHB2 to maintain the structure and stability of mitochondria. To explore whether PHB1 impacts the action process of Vip3Aa, we examined the correlation between PHB1 and Vip3Aa virulence.

RESULTS

We revealed that PHB1 did not colocalize with Vip3Aa in Sf9 cells. The pulldown and CoIP experiments confirmed that PHB1 interacted with neither Vip3Aa nor scavenger receptor‐C (another Vip3Aa receptor). Downregulating phb1 expression in Sf9 cells did not affect the internalization of Vip3Aa but increased Vip3Aa toxicity. Further exploration revealed that the decrease of phb1 expression affected mitochondrial function, leading to increased ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane permeability and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. The increase of mitochondrial cytochrome c release, caspase‐3 activity and genomic DNA fragmentation implied that the apoptotic process was also affected. Finally, we applied RNAi to inhibit phb1 expression in Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. As a result, it significantly increased Vip3Aa virulence.

CONCLUSION

We found that PHB1 was not a receptor for Vip3Aa but played an essential role in mitochondria. The downregulation of phb1 expression in Sf9 cells caused instability of mitochondria, and the cells were more prone to apoptosis when challenged with Vip3Aa. The combined use of Vip3Aa and phb1 RNAi showed a synergistic effect against S. frugiperda larvae. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Influence of Controlled Oxidation on the NH3‐Sensitive Characteristics of SnS2
Authors: Zhang Ze , Zhang Min , Wu Zhaofeng , Wang Shuying , Zhang Jinzhu
Published: March 2023

Herein, an oxidation‐controlled SnS2 gas sensor is reported. Different oxidation levels of SnS2 are constructed by adjusting the dosage ratio of reagents. The sensing response of oxidized SnS2 to NH3 is studied, and the working mechanism is explored. Results demonstrate that the different oxidation levels of SnS2 exhibit significantly improved gas‐sensing properties. In particular, oxidation‐controlled SnS2 (SnS2‐2 sample) shows a high response to NH3 (92 000%) with a fast response recovery time (17/2 s). The novelty of this work lies in the simple synthesis of SnS2 with oxidation regulation and its application as a high‐sensitivity NH3 gas sensor at room temperature.
Towards a new generation of artificial‐intelligence‐based infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer retrievals of surface temperature: Part I – Methodology
Authors: Boucher Eulalie , Aires Filipe , Pellet Victor
Published: March 2023

Multilayer perceptrons have been popular in the remote‐sensing community for the last 30 years, in particular for the infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer instrument. However, for coarse‐resolution infrared instruments such as the infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer, these algorithms are currently used at the pixel level and are trained at a global scale. This can result in regional biases that not only affect the quality of the retrieval but can potentially also propagate into model forecasts if these results were to be assimilated. To help reduce these biases, we try to help the neural network (NN) adjusting its behaviour to local conditions; we call this “localization”. We investigate how to localize traditional multilayer perceptrons applied at the pixel scale and compare this with novel artificial intelligence image‐processing techniques, more particularly convolutional NNs and so‐called “localized convolutional NNs”. These approaches are tested for the retrieval of surface temperature over a fixed domain. Different techniques are proposed to localize both approaches. Further evaluation of the retrieval methods will be covered in a part II companion paper.
Importance of self‐induced vertical wind shear and diabatic heating on the Fujiwhara effect
Authors: Lee Jae‐Deok , Ito Kosuke , Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: March 2023

This study hypothesises that the motion of binary tropical cyclones (TCs) can be modified by diabatic heating (DH) asymmetry associated with self‐induced vertical wind shear. To demonstrate this hypothesis in the quiescent environment, a set of the idealised f‐plane numerical experiments such as identical (varied in the initial separation distance) and non‐identical (varied in TC intensity and size) experiments are conducted. Results show that the binary TC tracks are affected by the initial separation distance, and TC intensity and size, that is, TC influence radius. Identical experiments show that the critical distance for separating, merging or repelling motion is 8° (where 1° ≃ 111 km). The binary TC interaction shows that single large‐scale cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations can develop as a result of the superposition of the circulation of the binary TCs in the lower and upper troposphere. These two different large‐scale circulations result in a vertically sheared environment in each TC. Potential vorticity (PV) tendency diagnosis shows that the TC motion is consistent with a positive region of the local tendency of PV. To quantify the contribution of each PV diagnostic term to the TC motion, we calculate each vector of the PV tendency diagnostic equation. In the merger case, the horizontal advection vector (HADV) appears to be greater than the DH vector (DHV) due to attraction. In the repulsion case, the DHV is largely compensated by the HADV. Specifically, the strong shear‐induced DH generated in the lower troposphere and downshear or downshear‐left quadrant can modify the TC motion in collaboration with the transport of PV to the middle and upper troposphere by offsetting the PV imbalance via the HADV. Overall, these results validate our hypothesis, which we refer to as the three‐dimensional Fujiwhara effect.
Investigating the precipitation features of monsoon deep depressions over the Bay of Bengal using high‐resolution stand‐alone and coupled simulations
Authors: Chakraborty Tapajyoti , Pattnaik Sandeep , Baisya Himadri
Published: March 2023

A comprehensive attempt has been made to simulate the characteristics of monsoon deep depressions (MDD) originating over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) basin, with special emphasis on their rainfall using a coupled ocean–atmospheric model, that is, the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST) model, and a stand‐alone atmospheric model, that is, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, with a lead time of up to 72 hr. It is to be noted that COAWST employs WRF as its atmospheric component, while the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) is used as the oceanic component. It is found that though the tracks of the four MDDs considered have been reasonably simulated, the intensity was overestimated in both sets of simulations compared to India Meteorological Department (IMD) best estimates. Decomposition of the contributors to rain rate for the composite of the storms in the deep depression (DD) phase revealed that the moisture sources/sinks (Qm) are the major component in modulating the rain rate compared to the cloud sources/sinks. Further analysis of Qm suggested that vertical and horizontal advection of moisture forms the leading contributors to Qm. Validation against Modern Era Retrospective‐Analysis for Research and Analysis (MERRA) reanalysis showed that COAWST captured a more realistic evolution of Qm (specifically vertical advection) compared to its stand‐alone counterpart. Investigation of the composite storm energetics in a vortex‐following control volume showed a scarcity of bulk kinetic energy (volume‐integrated kinetic energy over the control volume) in the later hours of the DD phase in COAWST which led to the dissipation of the storm core, unlike in WRF, where a re‐intensification took place through condensational heating. It is inferred that in spite of the stand‐alone atmospheric model capturing the moisture incursion from the lateral boundaries in the lower levels significantly, the better representation of the vertical structure in COAWST led to more realistic simulations of the storms, increasing the skill in rainfall prediction.
A scheme using finite‐volume method for local horizontal derivatives in spectral model: Hydrostatic case
Authors: Yang Jinhui , Wu Jianping , Song Junqiang , Peng Jun , Yin Fukang , Leng Hongze , Ren Kaijun
Published: March 2023

The Yin‐He Global Spectral Model (YHGSM) is a dry‐mass conserving hydrostatic global spectral model, relying on spectral transforms to compute horizontal derivatives. We present an extension of YHGSM core named YHGSM‐FVM which uses a second‐order finite‐volume method (FVM) to compute the horizontal derivatives in grid‐point space instead of the spectral approach. With this approach, the computational efficiency of the spectral model is improved since part of the spectral transforms is superseded by FVM which only needs local data and the computational demand is lower. More importantly, YHGSM‐FVM is still a spectral model solving the Helmholtz equation directly in spectral space with a highly efficient semi‐implicit semi‐Lagrangian advection scheme. The comparisons between YHGSM‐FVM and YHGSM are conducted, and the results show that both models have comparable prediction skill, but YHGSM‐FVM outperforms YHGSM in computational efficiency.
Lagrangian description of the atmospheric flow from Eulerian tracer advection with relaxation
Authors: Mayer Amelie , Wirth Volkmar
Published: March 2023

The Lagrangian representation of fluid flows offers a natural perspective to study many kinds of physical mechanisms. By contrast, the Eulerian representation is more convenient from a diagnostic point of view. This article attempts to combine elements of both worlds by proposing an Eulerian method that allows one to extract Lagrangian information about the atmospheric flow. The method is based on the offline advection of passive tracer fields and includes a relaxation term. The latter device allows one to run the integration in a continuous fashion without the need for reinitialization. As a result one obtains accumulated Lagrangian information, for example, about the recent parcel displacement or the recent parcel‐based diabatic heating, at each point of an Eulerian grid at any time step. The method is implemented with a pseudospectral algorithm suitable for gridded global atmospheric data and compared with the more traditional trajectory method. The method's utility is demonstrated on the basis of a few examples, which relate to cloud formation and the development of temperature anomalies. The examples highlight that the method provides a convenient diagnostic of parcel‐based changes, paving an intuitive way to explore the physical processes involved. Due to its gridpoint‐based nature, the proposed method can be applied to large data sets in a straightforward and computationally efficient manner, suggesting that the method is particularly useful for climatological analyses.
Understanding the impact of assimilating FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 radio occultation refractivity on tropical cyclone genesis: Observing system simulation experiments using Hurricane Gordon (2006) as a case study
Authors: Yang Shu‐Chih , Chen Shu‐Hua , Chang Chih‐Chien
Published: March 2023

Studies have shown that assimilating the radio occultation (RO) observations, including those from the FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC (constellation observing systems for meteorology, ionosphere, and climate) (FS3‐C), provides positive impacts on tropical cyclone (TC) forecasts. The FS3‐C's successor, the FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 (FS7‐C2), provides denser spatial data coverage over the Tropics and Subtropics, where severe weather systems often occur. This study investigates the impact of FS7‐C2 refractivity profiles on the prediction of TC genesis. A quick observing system simulation experiment is conducted for the period when Hurricanes Helene and Gordon (2006) occurred over the North Atlantic Ocean using a regional ensemble data assimilation system. Though assimilating FS3‐C or FS7‐C2 ROs successfully reproduces Helene's development, assimilating FS7‐C2 ROs better captures the genesis and development of Gordon with abundant moisture and vorticity in Gordon's core region, providing conditions favorable for the development of deep convection. A minimum area‐mean total precipitable water vapor of 54 mm, as well as the existence of mid‐level cyclonic vorticity (e.g., 500 hPa), at the storm core region in the initial condition is required for forecasting Gordon's genesis. Also, the assimilation of FS7‐C2 ROs in our experiments reduces the 500 hPa geopotential error by 22% and improves probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecast compared with assimilating FS3‐C ROs. Two sensitivity tests are conducted to evaluate the impact of low‐level negatively biased FS7‐C2 RO profiles and the removal of FS7‐C2 data below 3 km on Gordon's genesis. The former test does not degrade Gordon's genesis forecast skills due to a dipole error correlation between the background ROs and the moisture field over an observed RO profile near Gordon. The latter test does degrade Gordon's forecast skills but is still better than the assimilation of FS3‐C ROs since the features of low‐level moisture and mid‐level vorticity are preserved to some extent.
Scale interactions between the meso‐ and synoptic scales and the impact of diabatic heating
Authors: Hirt Mirjam , Craig George C. , Klein Rupert
Published: March 2023

For both the meso‐ and synoptic scales, reduced mathematical models give insight into their dynamical behaviour. For the mesoscale, the weak temperature gradient approximation is one of several approaches, while for the synoptic scale the quasigeostrophic theory is well established. However, the way these two scales interact with each other is usually not included in such reduced models, thereby limiting our current perception of flow‐dependent predictability and upscale error growth. Here, we address the scale interactions explicitly by developing a two‐scale asymptotic model for the meso‐ and synoptic scales with two coupled sets of equations for the meso‐ and synoptic scales respectively. The mesoscale equations follow a weak temperature gradient balance and the synoptic‐scale equations align with quasigeostrophic theory. Importantly, the equation sets are coupled via scale‐interaction terms: eddy correlations of mesoscale variables impact the synoptic potential vorticity tendency and synoptic variables force the mesoscale vorticity (for instance due to tilting of synoptic‐scale wind shear). Furthermore, different diabatic heating rates—representing the effect of precipitation—define different flow characteristics. With weak mesoscale heating relatable to precipitation rates of , the mesoscale dynamics resembles two‐dimensional incompressible vorticity dynamics and the upscale impact of the mesoscale on the synoptic scale is only of a dynamical nature. With a strong mesosocale heating relatable to precipitation rates of , divergent motions and three‐dimensional effects become relevant for the mesoscale dynamics and the upscale impact also includes thermodynamical effects.
Evaluation of the impacts of ice cloud vertical inhomogeneity on spaceborne passive submillimeter‐wave simulations
Authors: Li Shulei , Liu Lei , Letu Husi , Hu Shuai , Dong Pingyi , Ren Hong , Ye Jin
Published: March 2023

Spaceborne passive submillimeter instruments can provide higher sensitivity to a broader size range of ice hydrometeors than traditional millimeter and infrared observations. However, a plane‐parallel cloud assumption is commonly applied for simplicity in passive cloud retrieval algorithms, while observations from active instruments have already demonstrated the ice particle variabilities in the vertical dimension. This study is conducted to assess the impacts of ice cloud vertical inhomogeneity on passive submillimeter‐wave simulations. Specifically, a simplified two‐layer scheme for distributions of particle size and ice water content in ice clouds is utilized to explore the inhomogeneous effects on radiative‐transfer process via the brightness temperature differences at the top of the atmosphere. Then the effect is quantitively evaluated based on a generated synthetic ice cloud and compared under the assumption of five particle size distributions to simulate homogeneous and heterogeneous clouds. The simplified two‐layer model simulations show that before saturation, the upper layer generates a stronger brightness temperature depression due to scattering than does the lower layer, given the same ice water content (IWC). However, with increasing IWC or effective diameters, the saturation effect would lead to the opposite impact, especially for high‐frequency channels. The generated synthetic ice cloud simulations reveal that the average values and the root‐mean‐squared errors of the brightness temperature differences are between −6 and 8 K and within 10 K, respectively. The results in this study are of special significance for remote‐sensing ice hydrometeors from passive submillimeter observations for the upcoming Ice Cloud Imager (ICI), as well as for future assimilations of submillimeter radiances in all‐sky conditions.
Soil phosphorus balance in Minnesota soils and its effects on soil test phosphorus and soil phosphorus fractions
Authors: Sims Albert L. , Fabrizzi Karina P. , Kaiser Daniel E. , Rosen Carl J. , Vetsch Jeffrey A. , Strock Jeffrey S. , Lamb John A. , Farmaha Bhupinder S.
Published: March 2023

Phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations based on the build and maintain (B&M) or the sufficiency philosophies were compared at six sites across Minnesota. Various levels of soil test P (STP) levels were established over four growing seasons. Applied P and P removed in harvested grain were monitored and used to develop a soil net P balance (Net P). Linear regression of net P with changes in STP was highly significant. Initial STP levels could be maintained at four of the six sites with a negative Net P. At those same sites, a zero Net P would tend to slowly increase STP over time. A sequential soil P fractionation analysis was conducted on soils from the six sites at the initiation and at the end of the 4‐year period. Nine total soil P fractions were extracted that represented both inorganic P (Pi) and organic P (Po) in the labile and non or less labile soil P pools. A positive linear relationship between Net P and changes in Pi fractions was significant. As Net P increased, so did the changes in Pi in the Resin, BiCarb, and NaOH fractions. These three fractions accounted for 66% to >100% of the changes in Net P with Resin and NaOH accounting for the majority of Net P. Changes in Net P that were accounted for in the less labile P pools, Sonic and HCl fractions, variable, and difficult to determine. There was little effect of Net P on Po fractions.
Composition, functionalities, and digestibility of proteins from high protein and normal pea (Pisum sativum) genotypes
Authors: Yang Jingqi , Lorenzetti Rani Lopes , Bing Dengjin , Zhang Sitian , Lu John , Chen Lingyun
Published: March 2023

Although a lot of research has been focused on the applications of pea protein, the effects of genotypes on protein applications have not been sufficiently investigated. Three high protein genotypes and four normal genotypes were included in this study. The results showed that the pea proteins from these seven genotypes differed widely in 11S/7S ratio. P1141 and Lacombe had the highest 11S/7S ratio while P1142, P0540, and Cooper had the lowest. Since the three high protein genotypes were selected from different parent lines, they had different 11S/7S ratios, which may partially explain their various functionalities. This demonstrated the potential of using breeding as a tool to manipulate the 11S/7S ratio of pea protein. The 11S/7S ratio may play a more important role in determining the protein functionalities than high/normal protein level in the seed. The solubilities of all seven samples were pH dependent. At pH 7, Lacombe and P1141 had the lowest solubility among all the tested samples, which may be a result of their high 11S/7S ratio. The proteins from all genotypes showed comparative water and oil holding capacities. P1141, Lacombe and Earlystar showed excellent emulsifying and foaming capacity at all tested pHs, which may be attributed to their relatively higher 11S/7S ratio. The in vitro digestibility varied among genotypes regardless of high protein or normal genotypes but all higher than 75%. The results of this study demonstrated that breeding could manipulate the pea protein content and composition, which further determined its functional properties and applications in food products.
Cutaneous Manifestations and Treatment of Arsenic Toxicity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tang Gia Toan , Elakis Joshua , Scardamaglia Laura
Published: March 2023

Cutaneous and systemic signs of acute and chronic arsenic poisoning may be vague. Thus, an awareness of these signs is crucial to prevent late or missed diagnoses. This is especially true in non-endemic countries where individuals may present decades after exposure, or may still be ingesting arsenic via a non-classical exposure. Existing literature emphasizes several well-known cutaneous presentations of arsenic toxicity while ignoring the complete clinical spectrum, including several rare tumours of relevance to the dermatologist. This study aims to review the existing literature on dermatological presentations of arsenic toxicity and their management in adults.
Ascidian‐Inspired Temperature‐Switchable Hydrogels with Antioxidant Fullerenols for Protecting Radiation‐Induced Oral Mucositis and Maintaining the Homeostasis of Oral Microbiota
Authors: Zhao Maoru , Wang Chengyan , Ji Chao , Liu Ruixue , Xie Jiani , Wang Yuguang , Gu Zhanjun
Published: March 2023

A key characteristic of radiation‐induced oral mucositis (RIOM) is oxidative stress mediated by the “reactive oxygen species (ROS) storm” generated from water radiolysis, resulting in severe pathological lesions, accompanied by a disturbance of oral microbiota. Therefore, a sprayable in situ hydrogel loaded with “free radical sponge” fullerenols (FOH) is developed as antioxidant agent for RIOM radioprotection. Inspired by marine organisms, 3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenylalanine (TOPA) which is enriched in ascidians is grafted to clinically approved temperature‐switchable Pluronic F127 to produce gallic acid (containing the TOPA fragment)‐modified Pluronic F127 (MGA) hydrogels to resist the fast loss of FOH via biomimetic adhesion during oral movement and saliva erosion. Based on this, progressive RIOM found in mice is alleviated by treatment of FOH‐loaded MGA hydrogels whether pre‐irradiation prophylactic administration or post‐irradiation therapeutic administration, which contributes to maintaining the homeostasis of oral microbiota. Mechanistically, FOH inhibits cell apoptosis by scavenging radiation‐induced excess ROS and up‐regulates the inherent enzymatic antioxidants, thereby protecting the proliferation and migration of mucosal epithelial cells. In conclusion, this work not only provides proof‐of‐principle evidence for the oral radioprotection of FOH by blocking the “ROS storm”, but also provides an effective and easy‐to‐use hydrogel system for mucosal in situ administration.
A Nanoparticle Ink Allowing the High Precision Visualization of Tissue Engineered Scaffolds by MRI
Authors: Leon‐Chaviano Samila , Kiseleva Mariia , Legros Philippe , Collin Simon , Lescot Théophraste , Henoumont Céline , Gossuin Yves , Laurent Sophie , Mayrand Dominique , Fradette Julie , Bégin‐Drolet André , Ruel Jean , Fortin Marc‐André
Published: March 2023

Hydrogels are widely used as cell scaffolds in several biomedical applications. Once implanted in vivo, cell scaffolds must often be visualized, and monitored overtime. However, cell scaffolds appear poorly contrasted in most biomedical imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is the imaging technique of choice for high‐resolution visualization of low‐density, water‐rich tissues. Attempts to enhance hydrogel contrast in MRI are performed with “negative” contrast agents that produce several image artifacts impeding the delineation of the implant's contours. In this study, a magnetic ink based on ultra‐small iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs; <5 nm diameter cores) is developed and integrated into biocompatible alginate hydrogel used in cell scaffolding applications. Relaxometric properties of the magnetic hydrogel are measured, as well as biocompatibility and MR‐visibility (T1‐weighted mode; in vitro and in vivo). A 2‐week MR follow‐up study is performed in the mouse model, demonstrating no image artifacts, and the retention of “positive” contrast overtime, which allows very precise delineation of tissue grafts with MRI. Finally, a 3D‐contouring procedure developed to facilitate graft delineation and geometrical conformity assessment is applied on an inverted template alginate pore network. This proof‐of‐concept establishes the possibility to reveal precisely engineered hydrogel structures using this USPIONs ink high‐visibility approach.
Coordinating Interface Polymerization with Micelle Mediated Assembly Towards Two‐Dimensional Mesoporous Carbon/CoNi for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Huang Zheng , Ma Dongsheng , Nian Pei , Zhou Yu , Wang Dong , Gong Xueqing , Wang Zheng , Yue Qin
Published: March 2023

Lithium‐sulfur battery has attracted significant attention by virtues of their high theoretical energy density, natural abundance, and environmental friendliness. However, the notorious shuttle effect of polysulfides intermediates severely hinders its practical application. Herein, a novel 2D mesoporous N‐doped carbon nanosheet with confined bimetallic CoNi nanoparticles sandwiched graphene (mNC‐CoNi@rGO) is successfully fabricated through a coordinating interface polymerization and micelle mediated co‐assembly strategy. mNC‐CoNi@rGO serves as a robust host material that endows lithium‐sulfur batteries with a high reversible capacity of 1115 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C after 100 cycles, superior rate capability, and excellent cycling stability with 679.2 mAh g−1 capacity retention over 700 cycles at 1 C. With sulfur contents of up to 5.0 mg cm−2, the area capacity remains to be 5.1 mAh cm−2 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. The remarkable performance is further resolved via a series of experimental characterizations combined with density functional theory calculations. These results reveal that the ordered mesoporous N‐doped carbon‐encapsulated graphene framework acts as the ion/electron transport highway with excellent electrical conductivity, while bimetallic CoNi nanoparticles enhance the polysulfides adsorption and catalytic conversion that simultaneously accelerate the multiphase sulfur/polysulfides/sulfides conversion and inhibit the polysulfides shuttle.
Construction of ZnIn2S4/CdS/PdS S‐Scheme Heterostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production
Authors: Sun Guotai , Tai Zige , Li Fan , Ye Qian , Wang Ting , Fang Zhiyu , Jia Lichao , Liu Wei , Wang Hongqiang
Published: March 2023

It is facing a tremendous challenge to develop the desirable hybrids for photocatalytic H2 generation by integrating the advantages of a single semiconductor. Herein, an all‐sulfide ZnIn2S4/CdS/PdS heterojunction is constructed for the first time, where CdS and PdS nanoparticles anchor in the spaces of ZnIn2S4 micro‐flowers due to the confinement effects. The morphology engineering can guarantee rapid charge transfer owing to the short carrier migration distances and the luxuriant reactive sites provided by ZnIn2S4. The S‐scheme mechanism between ZnIn2S4 and CdS assisted by PdS cocatalyst is testified by in situ irradiated X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), where the electrons and holes move in reverse driven by work function difference and built‐in electric field at the interfaces. The optimal ZnIn2S4/CdS/PdS performs a glaring photocatalytic activity of 191.9 µmol h−1 (10 mg of catalyst), and the largest AQE (apparent quantum efficiency) can reach a high value of 26.26%. This work may afford progressive tactics to design multifunctional photocatalysts.
Amorphous Oxysulfide Reconstructed from Spinel NiCo2S4 for Efficient Water Oxidation
Authors: Sun Ying Ying , Zhang Xin Yu , Tang Jianfang , Li Xiaoxia , Fu Huai Qin , Xu Hao Guan , Mao Fangxin , Liu PengFei , Yang Hua Gui
Published: March 2023

The progress of effective and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgent, which is essential to promote the overall efficiency of green hydrogen production. To improve the performance of spinel cobalt‐based oxides, which serve as promising water oxidation electrocatalysts in alkaline electrolytes, most researches have been concentrated on cations modification. Here, an anionic regulation mechanism is employed to adopt sulfur(S) anion substitution to supplant NiCo2O4 by NiCo2S4, which contributed to an impressive OER performance in alkali. It is revealed that the substitution of S constructs a sub‐stable spinel structure that facilitates its reconstruction into active amorphous oxysulfide under OER conditions. More importantly, as the active phase in the actual reaction process, the hetero‐anionic amorphous oxysulfide has an appropriately tuned electronic structure and efficient OER electrocatalytic activity. This work demonstrates a promising approach for achieving anion conditioning‐based tunable structure reconstruction for robust and easy preparation spinel oxide OER electrocatalysts.
Passivating Oxygen Evolution Activity of NiFe‐LDH through Heterostructure Engineering to Realize High‐Efficiency Electrocatalytic Formate and Hydrogen Co‐Production
Authors: Jiang Shuai , Xiao Tongyao , Xu Cui , Wang Suwen , Peng Hui‐Qing , Zhang Wenjun , Liu Bin , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: March 2023

An electrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is proposed to replace oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis owing to the favorable thermodynamics of MOR than OER. However, there is still a competition between the MOR and the OER when the applied potential is in the conventional OER zone. How to inhibit OER while maintaining efficient MOR is an open and challenging question, and there are few reports focusing on this thus far. Herein, by taking NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) as a model catalyst due to its intrinsically high catalytic activity for the OER, the perspective of inhibiting OER is shown and thus promoting MOR through a heterogenous engineering of NiFe‐LDH. The engineered heterostructure comprising NiFe‐LDH and in situ formed NiFe‐hexylaminobenzene (NiFe‐HAB) coordination polymer exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic capability for methanol oxidation to formic acid (e.g., the Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) of formate product are close to 100% at various current densities, all of which are much larger than those (53–65%) on unmodified NiFe‐LDH). Mechanism studies unlock the modification of NiFe‐HAB passivates the OER activity of NiFe‐LDH through tailoring the free energies for element reaction steps of the OER and increasing the free energy of the rate‐determining step, consequently leading to efficient MOR.
Turn “Waste” Into Wealth: MoO2@coal Gangue Electrocatalyst with Amorphous/Crystalline Heterostructure for Efficient Li–O2 Batteries
Authors: Sun Zhihui , Hu Yingjie , Zeng Kai , Li Meng , Zhao Shuai , Zhang Jixiong
Published: March 2023

Unreasonable accumulation of coal gangue in mining area has become the major source of global pollution. Probing the high‐valued utilization of coal gangue has become a key approach to address the problem. Herein, a promising catalyst of MoO2@coal gangue with amorphous/crystalline heterostructure derived from mine solid waste, which acts as an efficient cathode for Li–O2 batteries is first reported. Impressively, the as‐prepared catalyst exhibits a favorable initial discharge capacity of 9748 mAh g−1 and promising long‐term cyclic stability over 2200 h. Experimental results coupled with density functional theory (DFT) analysis reveal that the synergistic interaction between high‐activity MoO2 and stable SiO2, unique amorphous/crystalline heterostructure and the modified interfacial adsorption of LiO2 intermediate are critical factors in promoting the electrochemical performance. This work provides a new insight to design marked electrocatalysts by mine solid waste for Li–O2 batteries.
Hybrid Perovskite‐Based Wireless Integrated Device Exceeding a Solar to Hydrogen Conversion Efficiency of 11%
Authors: Park Jaemin , Lee Junwoo , Lee Hyungsoo , Im Hayoung , Moon Subin , Jeong Chang‐Seop , Yang Wooseok , Moon Jooho
Published: March 2023

A wireless solar water splitting device provides a means to achieve an inexpensive and highly distributed solar‐to‐fuel system owing to its portability, flexible scale, and simple design. Here, a highly efficient hydrogen‐generating artificial leaf is introduced, which is a wireless configuration for converting solar energy into chemical energy, by integrating a hybrid perovskite (PSK) as the light absorber with catalysts for electrochemical reaction. First, a single integrated photoelectrochemical photocathode, and a spatially decoupled hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst, are fabricated. A decoupled geometry is adopted to enable the physical protection of the PSK layer from the electrolyte, thus allowing excellent stability for over 85 h. Additionally, an efficient dual photovoltaic module photocathode is fabricated to produce sufficient photovoltage to drive water splitting reactions, as well as a high photocurrent to achieve the applied‐bias photoconversion efficiency (13.5%). To investigate the overall water splitting performance, a NiFe–OH catalyst is employed, and the device with a wired configuration achieves a photocurrent density of 9.35 mA cm−2 , corresponding to a solar to hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 11.5%. The device with a fully integrated wireless artificial leaf configuration exhibited a similar STH efficiency of over 11%, demonstrating the effectiveness of this cell design.
Rational Synthesis of Core‐Shell‐Structured Nickel Sulfide‐Based Nanostructures for Efficient Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Ren Jin‐Tao , Chen Lei , Tian Wen‐Wen , Song Xin‐Lian , Kong Qing‐Hui , Wang Hao‐Yu , Yuan Zhong‐Yong
Published: March 2023

Versatile electrocatalysis at higher current densities for natural seawater splitting to produce hydrogen demands active and robust catalysts to overcome the severe chloride corrosion, competing chlorine evolution, and catalyst poisoning. Hereto, the core‐shell‐structured heterostructures composed of amorphous NiFe hydroxide layer capped Ni3S2 nanopyramids which are directly grown on nickel foam skeleton (NiS@LDH/NF) are rationally prepared to regulate cooperatively electronic structure and mass transport for boosting oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance at larger current densities. The prepared NiS@LDH/NF delivers the anodic current density of 1000 mA cm−2 at the overpotential of 341 mV in 1.0 m KOH seawater. The feasible surface reconstruction of Ni3S2‐FeNi LDH interfaces improves the chemical stability and corrosion resistance, ensuring the robust electrocatalytic activity in seawater electrolytes for continuous and stable oxygen evolution without any hypochlorite production. Meanwhile, the designed Ni3S2 nanopyramids coated with FeNi2P layer (NiS@FeNiP/NF) still exhibit the improved hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in 1.0 m KOH seawater. Furthermore, the NiS@FeNiP/NF||NiS@LDH/NF pair requires cell voltage of 1.636 V to attain 100 mA cm−2 with a 100% Faradaic efficiency, exhibiting tremendous potential for hydrogen production from seawater.
Emerging MXene‐Based Flexible Tactile Sensors for Health Monitoring and Haptic Perception
Authors: Lai Qin‐Teng , Zhao Xin‐Hua , Sun Qi‐Jun , Tang Zhenhua , Tang Xin‐Gui , Roy Vellaisamy A. L.
Published: March 2023

Due to their potential applications in physiological monitoring, diagnosis, human prosthetics, haptic perception, and human–machine interaction, flexible tactile sensors have attracted wide research interest in recent years. Thanks to the advances in material engineering, high performance flexible tactile sensors have been obtained. Among the representative pressure sensing materials, 2D layered nanomaterials have many properties that are superior to those of bulk nanomaterials and are more suitable for high performance flexible sensors. As a class of 2D inorganic compounds in materials science, MXene has excellent electrical, mechanical, and biological compatibility. MXene‐based composites have proven to be promising candidates for flexible tactile sensors due to their excellent stretchability and metallic conductivity. Therefore, great efforts have been devoted to the development of MXene‐based composites for flexible sensor applications. In this paper, the controllable preparation and characterization of MXene are introduced. Then, the recent progresses on fabrication strategies, operating mechanisms, and device performance of MXene composite‐based flexible tactile sensors, including flexible piezoresistive sensors, capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors, triboelectric sensors are reviewed. After that, the applications of MXene material‐based flexible electronics in human motion monitoring, healthcare, prosthetics, and artificial intelligence are discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for MXene‐based tactile sensors are summarized.
Study of an Economical and Effective Heat Treatment Method to Improve the Performance of Gear Steels
Authors: Xiao Na , Zhang Chi , Hui Weijun , Che Hanlin , Yang Zhigang
Published: March 2023

During heat treatment, gear steels undergo grain coarsening, so an appropriate heat treatment process that can efficiently control the austenite grain growth and ensure a good performance of gear steels is particularly important. Herein, the influence of a requenching treatment on the comprehensive behavior of low‐carbon alloy steel 20Cr2Ni4 is explored. The pristine steel samples with and without Nb microalloying subjected to conventional quenching and tempering (QT) treatment are compared with the requenched steel sample. The results show that different requenching temperatures considerably impact grain refinement and homogenization. The steel requenched at 830 °C exhibits the greatest tensile strength of 1444 MPa and excellent toughness, comparable to the mechanical properties of the steel upon Nb microalloying after the conventional QT treatment. The formation of twin martensite and uniform fine grains with a high dislocation density together with numerous low‐angle and high‐angle grain boundaries is responsible for the simultaneously improved strength and ductility of the requenched specimen; thus, the proposed requenching heat treatment is a promising, efficient, and reliable method to double‐refine prior austenite grains and their packet and block structures and improve the comprehensive properties with a combination of high strength and toughness, yielding high‐strength gear steel.
Optimization of Hot Forming Temperature to Minimize Liquid Metal Embrittlement Induced Cracking in Resistance Spot Welded Zinc‐Coated Medium Manganese Steel
Authors: van der Aa Ellen , Rana Radhakanta
Published: March 2023

Herein, an investigation on the influence of the hot press forming (HPF) temperature cycles of a medium manganese, high ductility, zinc‐coated steel with ≈1000 MPa final tensile strength (HPF1000‐GI), with a specific emphasis on the risks of liquid metal embrittlement (LME) induced cracking during resistance spot welding (RSW) is presented. The HPF1000‐GI steel is hot press formed using several temperature cycles, and subsequently the LME sensitivity of the variously hot press formed materials are investigated using both dedicated RSW experiments as well as high‐temperature tensile testing. It is shown that the LME sensitivity of the HPF1000‐GI steel is significantly reduced after hot forming at higher intercritical temperatures, and that this favorable behavior is caused by microstructural changes at the coating‐substrate interface.
Molecular Crowding Modulates SARS‐CoV‐2 Aptamer Affinity
Authors: Song Ting , Sun Miao , Zhang Jialu , Lu Yinzhu , Wan Shuang , Yang Chaoyong , Song Yanling
Published: March 2023

SARS‐CoV‐2 aptamer is a favorable candidate for the recognition and detection of SARS‐CoV‐2, owing to its small size and easy synthesis. However, the issue of compromised binding affinities in real samples and targeting mutant SARS‐CoV‐2 hinder wide applications of the aptamer. In this study, it is discovered that molecular crowding could increase binding affinity of CoV2‐6C3 aptamer against RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) of SARS‐CoV‐2 via increasing the absolute value of the enthalpy change. The values of the equilibrium dissociation constant in molecular crowding decrease by 70% and 150%, respectively, against wild‐type and mutant RBD compared with those in buffer without crowding. Moreover, the detection limit of SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus is up to 5 times lower under molecular crowding compared to dilute conditions. The discovery deepens the understanding of aptamer‐target interaction mechanisms in crowding conditions and provides an effective way to apply SARS‐CoV‐2 aptamer for virus recognition and detection.
Effects of Sodium Alginate and Guar Gum Matrices on the Structure and In Vitro Digestion of Native Corn Starch after Encapsulation Using Spray Drying
Authors: Kraithong Supaluck , Theppawong Atiruj , Ai Yongfeng , Issara Utthapon
Published: March 2023

The study aims to investigate the influence of hydrocolloid matrices, including sodium alginate (SA) and guar gum (GG), on the digestive properties of native corn starch (NCS). The native starch is encapsulated with SA (1% w/v), SA (0.75% w/v) + GG (0.25% w/v), SA (0.50% w/v) + GG (0.50% w/v), SA (0.25% w/v) + GG (0.75% w/v), and GG (1% w/v) through a laboratory‐scale spray drying process. The results reveal novel comparative and cooperative effects of encapsulant materials on starch hydrolysis. SA is found to be a superior encapsulant in terms of enhancing the slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) contents and improving the thermal stability of NCS, which is attributed to its rough matrix structure. This effect is attributed to the rough matrix structure of SA, which may offer greater resistance to water and enzyme penetration. The combination of 0.75% w/v SA + 0.25% w/v GG is found to be the most effective in reducing digestibility and enhancing thermal stability (p < 0.05), likely due to synergistic interactions between the two hydrocolloids. These findings provide valuable information on the effects of hydrocolloid matrices on the digestive properties of NCS and lay the foundation for future research.
Eligibility for antiviral therapy and treatment uptake in chronic hepatitis B patients referred to a European tertiary care center
Authors: Jachs Mathias , Sauberer Raphael , Stiegler Alexander , Dechêne Anton , Tazreiter Raphael , Hartl Lukas , Bauer David , Balcar Lorenz , Strassl Robert , Mandorfer Mattias , Trauner Michael , Munda Petra , Ferenci Peter , Reiberger Thomas
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

Treatment indications for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) differ among recommendations by European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and World Health Organization (WHO). We aimed to assess treatment eligibility and linkage to therapy at a large tertiary care center.

Methods

All CHB patients who were evaluated for treatment at the Vienna General Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively included. Clinical, virological, and long‐term treatment efficacy data were analyzed.

Results

A total of 751 CHB patients were included (53.3% male; median age: 39.5 years; HBeAg‐positive: 10.8%). The median Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)‐DNA and HBsAg levels were 569 (68–11,750) IU/mL and 3467.65 (620.05–11,935.43) IU/mL, respectively. Overall, 9.2% of patients had severe fibrosis/cirrhosis, and 5.7% were coinfected with hepatitis D virus (HDV), which was highly prevalent in cirrhosis. According to the recent EASL nomenclature, 3.2% of patients had HBeAg‐positive chronic infection, 7.6% had HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis, 58.9% had HBeAg‐negative chronic infection, and 30.4% had HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis. At the time of evaluation, 36.4% had HBV‐DNA >2000 IU/mL, and 37.3% showed alanine aminotransferase >40 U/L. Ultimately, 26.9% (EASL), 29.0% (AASLD) and 23.4% (WHO) met the treatment criteria. Treatment was initiated in most patients, mainly with tenofovir (61.8%) or entecavir (34.9%). Treatment efficiently suppressed HBV‐DNA in all patients; however, HBsAg loss was observed only in 2.8% at 5 years of therapy.

Conclusions

Severe fibrosis/cirrhosis was found in 9.2% of CHB patients at presentation, and 23.4%–29.5% met current treatment recommendations with a high treatment uptake of 79.8%–89.2% among eligible patients.